February 2003 First Prize "A Letter to My Child - Mother's Day 2001" My beloved son, What can I write when words are at times unnecessary? What can I tell you, when my heart is the one that speaks to you? Once again it is Mother's Day…once again I’m the most blessed woman on earth, because I have you…my sunshine that shines through the darkest clouds…my candle in the darkness. When I first found out that you would come to earth I was stunned….I was happy and excited….and also a little scared. For months I watched other Mom's with their babies, I read everything I could get my hands on about how to take care of a baby. I had never taken care of a baby before, and I was convinced I would make the world's worst Mother of all times! I knew how to feed a bottle or to change a diaper….but then what? What will I do when you cry and I don't know why, because you are too little to tell me? How will I handle taking care of a household and a baby at the same time? Will you even love me….or will you scream on top of your lungs when you see me? So many questions….and even though everyone assured me that everything will be just fine and patted my hand with a reassuring smile, I was not convinced. I felt and saw you growing, and regardless of my fears of failing you I was the happiest person on earth and enjoyed every single day of these nine months. I remember walking around in the stores sticking my belly out on purpose, to show everyone that I was expecting! Later on I thought that was so silly, but if I had to do it again I would in a heartbeat! Your birth was not as we had planned, but after a few complications that were handled wonderfully by the caring staff at the hospital you were finally here! When the nurse put you in my arms for the first time the earth stood still. Nothing else was important anymore….time was frozen around us. All I saw was your beautiful little face and felt your tiny body in my arms. Then you opened your eyes and looked at me….and it hit me like a thunderbolt. People describe this as "bonding", but for me it was as if our souls met….we connected on a level others might not understand. You took my fears away….I knew that what ever I had to do, I would do it right. No more fear about not knowing how to comfort you or take care of you. I just KNEW. I was lucky enough to see all your milestones of the first year. The time you first rolled over…slept through the night…your first tooth…I fed your first solid food, saw you crawl for the first time….I was there when you carefully pulled up on the couch and hung on for dear life….your first steps, and one day you let go off my hand and walked….and so many more beautiful things you did. I laughed and cried at every single one of those precious events, and I thank God for allowing me to be there when they happened. Now you are 5 years old….time is flying by way too fast….you are growing and soon you will start Kindergarten. Another big milestone and yet again Mommy will be right there to witness it! There will be lots of changes for us from now on…there will be homework, studying, but also fun. There will be Boy Scout events, ballgames to attend…and lots of new things for both of us to explore. Another Mother's Day approaches. I am not expecting any gifts or flowers or anything else…what I want for Mother's Day instead is to thank you….thank you for making my life complete, for bringing happiness and laughter into my days…for teaching me something new every single day. And I want to thank God for choosing me as your Mom, He has blessed me with you my dear son…what else could I ever ask for? I pray that the bond between us will always be as strong as it has been through the past few years…that I will see you grow into a man…a husband…a father. That one day I will be able to hold my grandchildren and that you will feel just as blessed when you look into your own baby's eyes. Thank you my little man…my son…my life. I love and adore you with all my heart. Mommy Contributed by Lady Shaishana (R) Copyright © 2001 Lady Shaishana. May not be used without the author's written permission. To get back to Contest Winners, just close this window. Submissions to Scribe contests are all offered by members of Sisters of the Golden Moon. If you are a member and would like to contribute to future contests, please contact Galaxy Star Honor74 . Except where noted, all articles, submissions and graphics are copyright © 2004, Sisters of the Golden Moon, all rights reserved. To the best of our knowledge, all entries submitted to Scribe contests are the original work of the person submitting them. Graphics created by Heronwing for Sisters of the Golden Moon. "Devotion" image copyright © 2002 Amy Brown Art. Note: This webset was created prior to Ms. Brown's new restrictions on use of her art. To the best of our knowledge, Ms. Brown has allowed continued use of the sets made prior to those restrictions. We thank her for her continued generosity.