Before I Was A Mom...

...I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.

Before I was a Mom

I cleaned my house each day and didn't worry about sharp corners, outlets, or choking hazards. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I never thought about vegetables.

Before I was a Mom

I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit up on, or peed on.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom

I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never stayed up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that I could love someone so much.

Before I was a Mom

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes just to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much...

...Before I was a Mom.

montage poem by Jill Lemming