I have a co-worker that just became a first time dad. After taking the week off with his baby mama, he came in to work today, noticeably tired. He was a proud papa though...he talked about how sweet his new little girl was and how much he couldn't stand it when she had to go back to the hospital and be put under a light for her jaundice. He said watching her cry tore him up and he was ready to go grab her and comfort her. Yep, he now gets it.
You only become a first time parent once. Most couples go into parenthood having read all the "how to" books and feel like they are prepared for the job that is about to be put on them for the next, well, for the rest of their lives. Parenthood is a job that you never retire from, take a vacation from, or quit. They have no idea how their world is about to be turned upside down. I remember when I had my first child - she was wanted, she was planned, and she was loved....but I had NO idea how much work was involved into tending to a baby. I was clueless! The first 30 days are probably the hardest as you ride the roller coaster of emotions mixed with fear, anxiety, and doubts about your abilities. Then add lack of sleep and the feelings of being overwhelmed.....but can I also add that you soon learn the true meaning of unconditional love. You are amazed at how much more you love your husband and you are in awe of how much you can love this little person in such a short time. You hear other moms say this, but you just don't "get it" until you have your first one. All of a sudden, you have this new found respect for your own mom and realize all the sacrifices she made for you.
As he was talking about wanting to protect his little girl from having to lie under the lights, I wanted to tell him that it will get much worse than this. Wait until she comes home the first time and she didn't get picked for a team. Or maybe she didn't make the cheerleader squad. Maybe she was snubbed from a birthday party. Or somebody hurts her feelings. Or gets her heart broke the first time. It even gets worse than that. What about when they are grown and you see them making a mistake and you just have to let them. Or watching your child go through a divorce. All that comes with the title and their is no pain medicine to take to take away this kind of pain.
Motherhood is the most wonderful, terrifying, fullfilling, excruciating thing life has to offer and everybody should experience it at least once. Lucky for me, I got to experience it twice.
Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord.
Psalms 127:3a
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