When I was pregnant with my second child, I bought a piece of wall art with this quote:
How true. I have two hearts outside of my body, and they have made the one beneath my rib cage larger and fuller. They’ve also made my hips and abs fuller, but that’s not where I’m going with this.
The world is a big place. It can be a dangerous place. And I can’t protect those hearts with a rib cage and skin, or with exercise and healthy eating. Those hearts are vulnerable, and they make my inside heart more vulnerable too.
Please join me on Coach Daddy today, as I explore some of my deepest fears as a mother. I dug into some rarely visited places for this post, and I’m grateful to Eli for suggesting this topic. And while you are there, look around and stay awhile. Eli’s blog is one you’ll want to add to your must-read list, if it’s not on there already.
While I won’t close comments here, feel free to just leave one on Coach Daddy. I’ll read and respond to each one there. Click HERE to head over now!
Have you read the poem, A Wish for My Children by Evangeline Paterson. It helps when you daughter goes off to Uni and your tea drinking best buddy is gone 🙁
I haven’t – I’ll have to check it out.
Love me some Eli! Heading over now….
I absolutely loved your post at Coach Daddy! It was amazing! That quote pretty much hits it on the nose.
I will check out your post!
Headed over right now! Can’t wait to read it! :)-Ashley
Beautiful quote, and so true! Read the entire post over at Coach Daddy but wanted to comment here too. I so understand your fears. My mom is 83 but I see similar fears still swimming in her eyes when I go home and visit her. I think it’s part of a mom’s job description to have those outside hearts tugging at hers forever!
I agree with you, Alison – and so does my mom! She commented here earlier about still having those fears. I guess it never goes away.
Dana – this has been an awesome day. Thanks so much not only for coming to Coach Daddy, but also for bringing something so genuine and powerful. I know this wasn’t easy for you to write, and I hope you’re as proud of it as I am.
It was my pleasure, Eli – thank you so much for having me. Looking forward to your turn next week!
That’s a good quote, Dana. That is literally how I feel towards my son for sure. Heading over now!
Loved your post over at Coach Daddy’s!! I had no idea how very hard it would be to be a mom – rewarding but still so many things to worry about!!
Thanks, Kim 🙂
Dana, I loved this post. I have those fears too but like you – try not to let them rule me or my relationship with my kids. What you say about mental illness and drugs? Oh my gosh, I can lose sleep at night over things things – but all I can do is that “best I can” and let the rest go. I love that quote by Elizabeth Stone too. I often say I have 3 hears beating outside my body.
Have you read Beautiful Boy? It’s nonfiction, about a son’s battle with drugs (written by the father). Ever since then I’ve had a new worry to add to my list. But you’re right – we have to do the best we can and let the rest go.
Dana, you are ROCKIN’ the guest posts this month. Read your guest post last night as soon as Eli hit publish. (I was rockin’ the three hour time difference in California and getting ahead on my blog reading.) Left you a comment there. Another beautifully written reflection on motherhood. Well done, my friend!
Dana, I have so many things to say about this blog but I will try to be concise and not ramble! Even though we are related I have learned so many things about you through your blogs. These feelings that you have about your children are feelings that will never go away. For 40+ years my two outside hearts have felt fear, a little anger, an occasional disappointment but most of all love and pride! The thought of loosing you or your sister is beyond my worst fear; it is my worst fear? What you have to look forward to is having a few more hearts dangle from the two already outside your body when you have grandchildren. (No wonder my inside heart sometimes feels heavy)
I am blessed that we have two sons-in-law who know how important extended family members are. Many of your readers are closer to your age than to mine so I want to impart a few words of wisdom. The way you treat your parents will probably be the way your children treat you. I loved the things that Eli wrote about you. Today’s blog was wonderful, insightful and very poignant. Loved it and you!
It is no wonder, Mom. That’s a lot of hearts to worry about. I’ll do my best to keep my two (and my own) safe. xoxo
I love that quote..and I love your post! I got there just before this. Oh, happy day!
Hey Dana, Just fyi, the links above don’t lead to the article but I found it.
Fixed them – thanks for the heads up!
I left a comment on Coach Daddy’s page (love that guy!) and oh how I can relate to what you beautifully wrote. A mother’s heart is a complicated and heavy piece of machinery!
I’m headed over. I LOVE Eli!