Webster's Dictionary defines a Milestone as an action or event making a significant change or stage in development. As a mommy. I define it as all of those moments that you cheer for your child in Amazement of them and all that they do! Sometimes I cheer on the outside and it can be quite LOUD! Sometimes I am cheering on the inside and it is very quiet. But I am always cheering. As a mommy to children that I did not have the privilege of giving birth to, sometimes I cheer double. Once for myself and once for the mommy who I wish was there seeing the milestone for them self. I try to photograph everything! But sometimes photographs don't capture every detail of the moment. I get caught up in the moment and I miss capturing the photo of the look of pure joy that I am given as I cheer them on. I don't take lightly the responsibility that I have been given to try to document each moment that I am present and their mommy is not. Each child placed in my care has a "life book" to track all of the milestones taking place. What a privilege and if I am honest, a burden to be in charge of keeping track of all of the changes taking place in their young lives. What if I forgot to write something down? I will always have the memory (in my mind) BUT their mommy will not.
This past weekend was bittersweet! Our youngest celebrated a BIG milestone of her very First Birthday. One day later she took off walking/running. Two BIG days. Two BIG milestones. We cheered. We cheered loud! Later there were tears. As I laid in bed, I cried for that mama. What was going through her mind as she laid her head down on the night of her child's very first birthday separated from her sweet baby? Was she sad? worried? scared? I prayed for that mama and for me. I never take lightly the privilege of this calling. I am loved and called mama by children that I don't deserve. I get to love on them, teach them, cuddle them, pray with them and everything else a mama does. What a privilege and tragedy all mixed in one! Not a day goes by that I don't think about both......the privilege......and the tragedy. Today could be another milestone day. More teeth may come popping through. I will do my best to photograph each one. I will write in a "life book" . And yes, I will probably shed a few tears for another day that mama missed of her precious child's life.
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12"
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