The Sweetest Mother's Day Gift!

I wish I could freeze this moment and live it for the rest of time.

You are so pure, so curious, so full of wonder.

You should never have to change.

As I sit here watching you, I try absorbing every detail:

The focus furrowing your brow as you study the earth, the stones, the water.

The surprise and excitement that widens your eyes as you spot a tiny fish.

The tenderness in your hands as you carefully inspect a fallen leaf.

The softness in your voice as you ask me questions and make your own observations.

You are a gentle creature, yet you are determined to learn about this great big world you find yourself in.

I wish this moment was enough for you, like it is for me.

I wish you were content with staying here forever with me.

I wish you never had to know anything more about this world than what you know now.

Because you are too good.

You are too pure.

You don’t deserve what this world is capable of doing to you.

You don’t deserve what is coming.

I want to ask you to stay with me right here, my precious child.

Stay with me right here, right now where the world can’t reach you; can’t hurt you.

Stay with me right here, where you can stay happy, wholesome, innocent, and full of love.

Stay with me right here where I can protect you, because if you don’t, there is only so much I can shield you from.

I am afraid, my child. I am so afraid.

I fear this world will tarnish you.

I fear this world will break your heart, that beautiful kind heart.

I fear this world will do to you what is has done to me.

And I fear that no matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, I won’t be able to stop it.

I will do my best to protect you, but what if it’s not enough?

What if I can’t save you? What if I can’t save you from the world? From myself?

What if I’m the one to blame for tarnishing your innocent world?

What if I fail you, little one?

But as I sit here watching you, wishing I could freeze this moment and live it for the rest of time . . . 

I know that if I asked you to stay, you would say no because you believe in me.

You have no reason to stay because you trust me.

You have no reason to doubt my abilities as your mother.

The faith you have in me gives you the confidence to keep learning, experiencing, and growing.

There is no reason for you to stay because you have complete confidence in me.

While I may not believe in myself right now . . . 

With your help, little one, I just might be able to start.

You may also like:

Savor These Moments, Mama, Because Time Flies

Please Don’t Ever Get Too Old For Me

Let Me Love You a Little More, Before You’re Not Little Anymore—5 Ways to Cherish Your Child Right Now

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Order Now!

Taylor Halfpenny

Taylor Halfpenny, born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, is a wife, mother and author of the blog Ticking Time Momb: Motherhood Exposed. With a lot of sarcasm and even more truth, Taylor shares stories about her day to day life as a mom, and exposes the brutal truths that most mothers don’t talk about. She hopes her honesty about motherhood will help mothers feel less alone in their chaos, and hopes to unite fellow ticking time “mombs” all over the world.

Dear Zachary, The World Is Yours…And So Am I

In: Child, Motherhood
Little boy running in field

Dear Zachary, Ever since you were born, your dad and I have taken every precaution to keep you safe. We bought the review mirrors so we could see you in the car. We had the deluxe baby monitor. There were more ER trips than I ever expected to ease your mama’s worries that your run-of-the-mill illnesses might be something other than ordinary. You always had to wear your baby Crocs in “sport mode” so they couldn’t fall off your feet as you toddled around. We covered every single outlet in the house, even the ones you had no hope of...

Keep Reading

It’s Your First Day of Preschool

In: Child, Motherhood
Photo of child's backpack

My dearest son, It’s your first day of preschool. Almost four years ago, I didn’t want to think about this day. I wish I could get out of the emotions I’m feeling, but it’s something nobody prepares you for. I wasn’t ready, but watching you be ready made me ready. In the way you sing your ABCs and 123s, confidently counting to 20. The way you started sharing your toys with your little sissy and teaching her colors. The way you improved so much each soccer practice and game. And the way you have asked to play again. The way...

Keep Reading

I’m Proud to Say “That Child” Is My Child

In: Child, Motherhood
Child running in field with jacket and hat on

When a new parent brings home a baby, they realize that exhaustion follows closely behind. We expect sleepless nights and diaper changes, tiny fingers clutching at ours in need. We know we’ll be needed fully and completely, and we assume that as our child grows, that need will change shape but gradually ease. We assume that, in time, we’ll find balance again. But sometimes, that balance never comes. My child is that child. The neurobiologically complex one with an IEP, an FBA, and a safety plan at school. The one who has been in and out of various therapies for...

Keep Reading

My Wild Child Teaches Me How to Be Free

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood
Little boy with toy plane smiling outside

Have you ever heard the phrase “wild child”? What comes to your mind? For me, I tend to picture a young kid running around, who just won’t sit still. Their parents always look so tired. Bless their hearts. Whenever I saw a family with a sweet, little wild child, I gave the parents an encouraging, empathetic smile, just thankful it wasn’t me. Until it was, and I was the one receiving those smiles. Bless my heart. I have a wild child. I can’t deny it, and I certainly can’t hide it. It’s just a plain and simple fact that is...

Keep Reading

I’m Holding Tight to Nine

In: Child, Motherhood, Tween
Young girl standing in ocean waves, color photo

Nine is a tenuous age–she walks a tightrope between the play of a child and the poise of a teen. I see glimpses of the baby she used to be more and more rarely, mostly while she is sleeping. The roundness comes back to her cheeks and the silken hair tangles softly around her face. When awake, she is in constant movement. Dance, gymnastics, and friends take up most of her time. So I’m holding tight to nine. Nine is where she still wants to cuddle in bed at night and talk about her day. Friend troubles, burgeoning crushes, worries...

Keep Reading

The First Day of Preschool is Hardest for the Moms

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood
Preschoolers painting at table

The first day of Pre-K. Wow, that’s a hard one. On that first day, it starts with prolonged hugs. It progresses to tears. And it explodes with full-blown screaming as your child has to be peeled off your body, and you physically hurry for the exit while your heart lingers behind.  At the end of the preschool hallway, you stop, ears straining to hear whether your child has calmed down. But it’s too hard to tell with the noise from all the other children being dropped off on their own first day of Pre-K.  Pick-up should be better. Surely by...

Keep Reading

Welcome to Kindergarten, You’re about to Experience Something Great

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood
Teacher gives young student a high five

I’m sure you have plenty of mom friends who can help prepare you for the drastic life change you are about to embark on as your child enters kindergarten. Maybe they prime you with humor: “Woohoo, someone else is responsible for turning them into a decent human now!” or “Hey, no more daycare payment!” Maybe they are the nurturing sappy type: “They’ll always be your baby! They’re onto new things!” Or maybe they’re just factual: “This is part of life. They will learn so much. You need to let them go eventually.” And all of these people would be telling...

Keep Reading

First Grade Is a Big Year

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood
Little girl in dance costume walking down sidewalk, color photo

The beginning of a new school year always comes with little reminders that our babies are growing up. It’s a moment to reflect on how quickly they grow and dive into the excitement of a fresh new year. Of course, those first days are always bittersweet as they move up to a new grade, but so far, it’s been manageable. Pre-K then Kinder, I could handle those. Fun first years of school filled with play and cute little graduations. But this year, I feel like it’s getting really real. First grade! Can you believe it? How fast our babies grow....

Keep Reading

There Is Beauty in the In-Between

In: Child, Motherhood, Tween
Tween girl standing on boardwalk of beach

She’s at that in-between stage—not a young child, not a teen. She’s tall. So very tall. And a little bit gangly. But she runs like a small child, and it looks so endearingly awkward. My baby, my girl, still with the body of a child but the mind of an inquisitive adolescent. She’s curious, she’s funny, but still so young. Her humor is on our level, she gets our jokes that go over her sisters’ heads, and she makes us laugh so much. But then, she asks a question that reminds us of her precious young years. She’s still new...

Keep Reading

I Just Can’t Let Go of the Play Kitchen Yet

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood
Play kitchen set up near patio door, color photo

If there is one toy I would love to pass along, it is my children’s play kitchen. At 10 and 7 years old, it is no longer a priority toy for my daughter and son. Instead, the play kitchen has become a sort of dumping ground for any current toys that need a temporary storage space. As I glance at it now, it houses my son’s constructed LEGO helicopter, Nerf guns, and a robot as well as my daughter’s collection of library books, a random water bottle in her favorite color orange, and her jumping rope. Remnants of pans, utensils,...

Keep Reading