Sweet Child, You Will Never Outgrow Your Special Place in Mama’s Heart

Mamas remember those early years. When nights came and kept us awake until sunrise. And days jumbled together into weeks.

Then baby teeth and the next size up diapers and there were no more snaps on your sleepers left to close.

Your chubby fingers that hugged mine from the beginning started pointing out new wonders all around.

Your coos turned into “Dada” and “Mama” and sounded just perfect to me.

There was not a soul we spent more time with, as we slipped off to soothe you to sleep. And even when I couldn’t be everywhere at once, I knew I wasn’t missing out.

Because each time you looked up at me and smiled, I smiled, too.

Each time you cuddled close to my chest, I remembered what it meant to slow down.

Each time I clapped to encourage you, I believed you were cheering me on, too.

And I learned to marvel through tears. I learned to pray through pain, and I discovered how strong this mama of yours really is.

Changes still surprise me, as milestones rush right on by in the rearview.

A crawl to a walk. A walk to a run.

Trusting that when you stumble, you’ll always have God’s help to get back up.

Keep reaching up.

The years pass by so quickly, and I expect time won’t slow down one bit.

And when the day comes you tower over me, your embrace will still mean as much as it has from the start.

Because, sweet child, you will never outgrow your special place in mama’s heart.

I’ll always love you more.

Originally published on the author’s Facebook page