Saturday, October 16, 2010

Glimpses of Motherhood


I laid him down in his tiny bed, read him a story, sang to him, and then prayed - but not before he had folded his hands and closed his eyes in the most angelic fashion. I turned out the light, shut the door half-way, and then walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs.

As the evening moved on, the mental picture of his little form couldn't seem to leave my mind for long. He was so tiny, so trusting. His eyes were so sweet, his fingers so soft and - well, baby like. It was as if, for the few hours we had together, I was his mother, and he, my own little boy.

Oh, but with babysitting, the real mother would come home soon, and my pretended "parenthood" would be over. I would go home again, and be the child, and my mom, the mother.

Though short, these little glimpses of the sweet realness of motherhood make me excited about having my own children someday.

The little grins babies have, the trusting eyes, the softness... these are what I like to think about. However, babysitting has also taught me what else comes along with motherhood; such as: the diapers that you nearly throw-up over, the puke that has to be cleaned up, the cutting of food, the three-changes-of-clothes-a-day phases, etc.

I've found that the negative things about taking care of a baby are far more numerous than the positive. But, for me, the negative is somehow erased by one brilliant smile, or the words "I like you," or some other such sweet treasure.

How do people fail to see the joy in motherhood? Perhaps they don't see it as the gift it truly is, don't understand that children are "An heritage from the Lord."

As for me, I believe that being a wife and a mother is my true calling, and that it is one of the greatest blessings that a woman can have. I'm truly looking forward to my "mothering" days, no matter how many sleepless nights, illnesses and trials it may hold. But, in the meantime, I will stick with enjoying my babysitting moments - and I hope you will too.

PS. Do you have any babysitting stories you'd like to share?


7 comments:

Zoe said...

Oh, how sweet......Well I do love it when.... I'm in bed and Bethany comes up and gets in and cuddle's up and says "cuddle bugs".She just get cuter as she grows!
Lincoln well.......mmm...uh....I guess boys don't really get cuter....maybe sweeter but not cuter...LOL!
Miss You!
Gibbons

Erin said...

Agreed! Sometimes I want to be married and be a mother so badly it hurts. But all in God's timing and hopefully someday... :))

My favorite babysitting story was when the little boy I was babysitting often was about to move away...he came up and wrapped his arms around me on the last day and said, "I love you, Erin." It was so sweet. :)

Bethany d said...

The little kids I babysit don't exactly care for me - instead they rant on "Bailey lets me do this..." :D

Awww - wouldn't it be wonderful to have your own little baby. ;)

Sweet Caroline was being held by Mum and started crying when I walked away...**awwww**

Bailey said...

You have those sorts of babysitting stories?

I must be the target of the hyper, beat-ya-up, won't-listen-to-a-word-you-say babysittees. The one time I got to babysit a real baby, Bethany took over. He liked her more.

So no, I don't even count babysitting into the equation when I think of motherhood. Big sistering is my forte. And I dunno...I think the positives of children outweigh the negatives. I think it depends on how one takes those dirty diapers of life (speaking metaphorically and literally).

I don't know if I'm going to be a mother someday, but I know God has cut me out for "mothering" -- whether as a sister, a babysitter or a kindergartner helper. I think that's a huge part of womanhood. I think it's a part of the heart of God.

Anna said...

Zoe: Yes, little sisters can be so sweet can't they?

Erin: Yes, God is wise and faithful in everything. :) I'll be praying for you.

Now, Bethany and Bayleaf: I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN!!! Some of my babysitting jobs have been so hard and crazy...

Anyway:

Thank ya'll for commenting!!

Maria said...

I love Seth!!! That's who it was right?? One of my fav.'s is when I am carrying around the kids and they just blurt out" I love You Maria". And of course, I tell them I lve them too. It's those happy moments cuddling with the kids and toteing them around that is the joy of babysitting! I love all my lil' "kids"!

Anonymous said...

Does baby-sitting Papaw count? Sometimes he is a bad boy, but when he goes to sleep...guess what...He snores. But he is such a sweetie!! Mamaw