8.19.2009

Motherhood: My Choice

Motherhood. I chose motherhood (I remember the moment I realized I was ready for it). I still choose it. I choose it willingly, happily, over other things that I could be doing. I choose not to work outside of the home, but stay at home and play. I choose to keep my home clean, beautiful, spiritual, and healthy. I choose to use every bit of education that I have pursued to benefit my children and myself.

I am so fortunate to be able to do this.

I also know what I gave up to do this. I gave up a well-paid, full time job as a graphic designer. I was good at that job. I am still good at that job. I gave up the ability to travel on a whim. To dine out when and wherever I want, at fancy places where double strollers can't fit. I liked to do those things. But I am happy to give them up for a while. I gave up a fancy working girl's wardrobe (or rather, packed it away in my closet for now). I gave up insensible foot wear (for the most part). I gave up a lot of sleep.

I gave up laziness. I gave up selfishness. I gave up the part of me that was happy to go through my life thinking only of my little world, for a new world that has opened up before me like none I could have imagined for myself.

It is my choice. No one else's. I choose this life, and I choose to love it. I choose the right. The right for me. For my children. And I know that I am blessed because of it.

You are the trip I did not take;
You are the pearls I cannot buy;
You are my blue Italian lake;
You are my piece of foreign sky.
(“To My Child,” quoted in Charles L. Wallis, ed., The Treasure Chest [1965], 54)

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Creole Wisdom said...

Sweet post.

Motherhood is becoming on you!

I think it's great when big things (like becoming a mother) are a seen as a choice.

I know I will be a good mom someday, for now I am enjoying all that things life has to offer. Like 8 hours of sleep. Every night :)

stephanie said...

yes, motherhood is a choice. and you do it very well. look at those cute kids!

Lee said...

I love this. Motherhood looks good on you...literally. Now tell me, could you go for three?

heather said...

Those are really beautiful thoughts on motherhood! being 8 months pregnant with my first, i am so excited to take this leap and have this baby in my arms. i have been learning so much lately, through friends and even blogs (like yours! :) about what it may be like to become a mother, but i guess i won't know truly for another couple months. blogs like yours make me so happy about this new journey i will be taking! thanks :)
www.heatherannenewman.blogspot.com

Ali said...

Hey Lyndz,
Great post. You hit the nail on the head. It's definitely the toughest job I'll ever love.

Lisa said...

Amen sister!!!

Beth said...

Thanks for this post Lyndsay. It's always a great reminder - that I chose this. Because there are those days where it wears on me. But I did choose it, and I want it, and know it's where I'm supposed to be. Uplifting posts like this are a good reminder of that. :)

Wendy said...

Simply beautifully put!

Christy said...

Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

This made me cry, in comparison at first, then just in general. So lovely, thankyou for this post.

Sarah said...

Thank you for this post. I think I've started forgetting lately that we do choose to be mothers and we also have the choice what kind of mother we will be. This was exactly what I needed to read today.

Jessica said...

Love this post. You say it all so well! How do you look so good in those circumstances?! Beautiful!

Mandee said...

I needed this. Thank you!

For the Love of Naps - Sarah said...

Well said - and all of that is waiting for you and will be there. Enjoy your days!

Unknown said...

I love this post and am linking it to my post today. Hugs!
Ann

The McKernan Family said...

Thank you for posting this. Beautiful.