Motherhood

Here are a few of my favourites

Motherhood is an amazing journey across all of the seasons and throughout all of the years. It never really gets easier with time. The moment you think you have it all worked out the rules change. When they are little its all a very steep learning curve, every day is invested into shaping and moulding that little person into all that you imagine them to be, but having walked the teenage years for some time now, the same can be said of this hormone fuelled period. Motherhood is still a steep learning curve and every day is still spent shaping the heart and soul. 

Only now, gone is the child who is happy with simple things or simple answers, replaced with this emerging potential of possibility who questions your every move and challenges your every request. Yet, there are some things that never seem to change. The hug squeezed in between random moments becomes even more precious, the giving of unconditional love even more necessary as they navigate the ups and downs of life. In fact, this season demands more of me, requires me to pour myself out in more ways than ever expected. Time is still not quite my own and sleepless nights return as you wait for that child to drive in the driveway from a late shift at work. Yes, some things never change, the unease of the heart really does not get easier with time. The heart still feels like it is wandering outside of your body - beating out there just beyond your reach. I thought it might ease with time, didn't expect the intensity of the mother-heart so many years on. Not all of the pieces fall neatly into place - this cherished life takes on its own form and the puzzle seems to have only just begun. Sometimes you can only watch as the wrong bits are wedged into tight spaces, the picture not quite what you imagined. Still, you watch and wait, encouraging every faltering step and praising every step in the right direction. 

Motherhood evolves over time, shaping us all differently with each passing year ... growing us into these wonderful beings that we never imagined, our mother-heart stretching our capacity wider still. I continue to be surprised with the depth of its feeling, the tumult of mother-love an ever expanding ocean, a steady rhythm beating all on its own. 

The steady beat of motherhood always marches on.

Little boys

Encourage your little boy to embrace his curiosity to learn. Help him explore rock pools (and ignore the smelly sea things that find a way home in his sandy pockets), allow the removal of cereal from their boxes for construction purposes (and marvel at the cereal box city that has taken over his bedroom when it all seems too much!).

Let him make a mess in the dirt, collect bugs, have snails as pets, grow things (weird things!!), try out experiments with the kitchen utensils and don’t get too mad when the fan is pulled apart (even when you thought it was working just fine).

… Because little boys grow up fast (too fast!!) and memories fill aching spaces.

… And some day this zest for learning might just lead him on a great big grand adventure!

~ Here’s to you son!

Time out and a trip to the Zoo

Love time with this girl. She makes me smile. Each year in March we go away for the weekend to Sydney. Just the two of us for some Mother - Daughter time. We started going in her third year of high school. She was fourteen. That was a hard age! I nearly gave up that year, but I decided to give it another crack ... and here we are four years on. It makes my heart glad that she still likes to bounce ideas around with me and seeks a little wise counsel every now and then (Seventeen years slipped by much too fast). So very glad that I invested time out with her in the teenage years. We may have sowed in tears but the harvest looks pretty good right about now!

Taronga Zoo (Never too old for this stuff!) in Sydney was a highlight of our trip. Mesmerised by the antics of the elephants (especially the babies), I clicked away as they attempted to push and dunk each other under the water - aahh, photographers paradise! They were having the time of their life and so was I. 

Watching these enormous animals play with such abandon was riveting, so cheeky. Can't believe I captured all this on my smart phone! (Can't believe I forgot my camera but not bad for a Samsung Galaxy S3, pretty impressed with its ability! ... what do you think?) 

There is something very majestic about these creatures 

and pretty awesome being up this close and personal!

Such an amazing time (and a very happy Mamma's heart).

Linking up with Casey Leigh for 'On your heart'.

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Believe, Hope, Dream

Believe, hope, dream, dance in the daylight … live in the moment … laugh out loud … eat chocolate … cherish your girlfriends … breathe … sneak small moments of solitude … let no one break your spirit … love with open arms … laugh some more … believe in the amazing woman you are … never ever give up. – Lisa Pollock

These are the words scrawled across a gift that I gave my daughter as part of her graduation gift. The moment I read these words I just knew it was THE gift I had to give. The significance of the words held me fast. Having already weathered some of lifes storms and knowing how the days of life can unravel with sudden momentum and tangle us in unbelieveable knots, I wanted my girl to hold onto some thoughts that could knit together a tightly woven fabric of hope that will keep out the cold when the storms of life are threatening her horizons. I want her to know that there is a way to do life well.

A way to face life,

A way to hold on.

A way to cherish this life,

however it unfolds!

To believe … hope … dream,
ALWAYS!

To dance in the daylight,

to celebrate life.

To laugh out loud,

to cherish the little things.

To let no one break her spirit,

to remain unaffected.

To love with open arms,

to embrace wholeheartedly.

To never ever give up,

to fight for what she believes in!

    …  to celebrate everything that truly makes living this amazing life, beautiful!

As my daughter begins to journey out her own life, (separate from mine, aahh!!), my mothers heart longs for her to do well and to hold fast to what is true … to navigate this life, her life with blessed assurance. I want her believe that anything truly is possible, to hold fast to an unwavering hope (for it really is an anchor for the soul) and to dream big for it is in dreaming that we give permission for the hidden things deep inside to be breathtakingly revealed on the outside.

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The end is in sight!

This week my daughter will complete her final week of school ... and I am so not ready for this!

Needless to say she is excited ... and I wish her all the best.

Love you to the moon and back my beautiful girl.

I am so proud of all that you have achieved ... and who you have become.

Congratulations on being awarded the best film for 2012 - you rock!

Parable of a seed

My daughter is about to graduate Year 12 ... I can't believe the time has gone so fast!

The teenage years have been fun, frustrating (on both parts)

 ... and full of angst, 

as any parent of a teenager would know (and understand!!!)

Training up a child in the way that they should go is not easy ... it requires fortitude way beyond yourself. Fortunately, somehow we found our way through the ups and downs of 

teenage-dom. We have come full circle and what has been sown over the years is now being drawn upon - the harvest is ready - almost! We are nearly there.

Over the years, the seeds scattered ...

(sometimes it seemed like it was all a bit hit and miss - a seed thrown here amongst the ground of independence, a seed flung over there in the soil of rebellion) ... and yes, some of it fell by the wayside. Some seed fell on stony ground (and at times on a hard heart) ... some seed was swallowed up and choked by the weeds of the world - doubt and unbelief grew in the parched and dry places. BUT, some seed nestled down in good ground. It took root in love and grew with hope and purpose.

Now I watch her digging deep within herself and feel my heart swell with pride ... because I know how far she has come. The battles that have been won and the fears that have been overcome. It feels good to watch your own flesh and blood begin to flourish and watch the harvest being reaped. I cannot explain how I really feel ... words do not really express the depth of feeling, suffice to say it truly is AMAZING!

Mission accomplished

One afternoon this week we were pleasantly surprised by the arrival of this little guy in our back yard. (I think the stork might have dropped this little bundle in the wrong nest!)

Actually, we think a crow ungraciously removed him (out of his little home in the old eucalyptus tree over the fence) and in the ensuing struggle dropped him in our yard. After a bit of frantic hopping and plaintive chirping (and a great deal of panic from the kids intent on rescuing the abducted chick), he finally curled up in a tightly wound ball of fluff and feathers, closed his eyes and shut out the harshness of the world. ('No, he is not dead' came my gentle soothings to an overwrought child.)

Then, when he had calmed down, our rescue mission began. My panic stricken daughter gently picked him up and cradled this scrap of duck down. Embracing him in the palm of her hands, she held him close ... sheltering him from harm. Carefully he was bundled into an abandoned shoe box and delivered safely to the animal shelter. Mission accomplished!

Afterwards, when we had traipsed home and ended our little rescue operation ... my heart was distracted by a thought. My soul became suspended on a nudge willing me to pause.
I  marvel at this gift of serendipity entwined with ribbons of grace and favour, my heartbeat races a little faster at the thought that suddenly cuts me right through. 
This is how He reminds me that he is there, always there in the storms that gather incessantly, in the dark clouds that loom ominously  ... there is a waiting, an intentional watching over ... for the heart in need of hope, the soul finally staying before the scooping up and holding close of delicate fragility. 

Much later I wonder at the lessons that come so unexpectedly. 
Do I always see the message in the mayhem? 
In the small things that flop in and flutter around me, 
in the here and now ... am I truly aware, 
awake to the seemingly insignificant 
so full of heavens fervour?

Treasures of the soul

Treasures of the soul - Precious memories

          Memories are treasures of the soul kept safe in the depths of our heart. - k.weight

These photos brings back such sweet memories because my little munchkins are not so little any more. It just feels just like yesterday and if I shut my eyes I can still picture them. Laughter and giggles ... sweet sloppy kisses, grubby little hands and tiny wee bodies that fit snuggly into my lap ... ahhh, how I miss these days.

"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” 
- Kevin Arnold.

Can

image source

Growing up can't was a dirty word in our household.

I was always pulled up on it and made to change my statement.

My Dad would remonstrate ' There is no such thing as can't!'

I begged to differ!!

As a child this was frustrating. I checked the dictionary

and .... it was in there, a contraction of I CAN NOT!

However

As an adult (and parent myself), 

I am so very grateful that this way of seeing things 

was so firmly entrenched in my thinking.

Because, eventually the message sank in and established a way of living that has forged and fashioned who I am today.

It helped me to overcome great odds, to persevere when the going got tough. 

I learnt to live over, not under
above, not beneath

higher, not lower

grounded and not airy fairy!!

So

I am currently finding myself journeying 

down the same path with my children and turning their cant's into cans.

They are not very impressed!

(I understand their pain.)

But 

 with the benefit of hindsight, I will continue to lead them

(and if necessary push them)

to believe in their dreams and that anything truly is possible!

Just because I can!

The Joyous Ache

This is my first 'five minute Friday' for 2012 ... yep, it has been awhile. But here goes - today's theme is .... ACHE.

Motherhood is a churning joyous ache! As a mother there always seems to be an ache inside your soul ... a bittersweet mingling of pleasure and pain. It is an almost tangible presence. The ache is hard to ignore. 

This aching of our Mother's heart can rear it's head at the most inopportune of times (like crying at a heart wrenching t.v add or a baby photo that slips out from a book). It is sometimes a whisper of years gone by and at other times it is screamingly loud ... almost like a steam train hurtling down the tracks, reminding us of a deep loss or a hidden grief. It can take us by surprise and leave us open mouthed!! That first scrape our baby feels can seem overwhelming with the depth of the ache we feel ... it can shake us to the core. 

We wash away the tears from our child's face and feel the pain deeply, our heart twists in ways never expected. The passing of every new milestone leaves an aching trail across our soul as we all at once let go and embrace ... the aching for what once was, while embracing the next moment and the next milestone. We can cry and smile all at the same time. We are unique at this artful skill! 

More often than not the ache becomes a joyous celebration. We know deep within us that this is what it means to be a Mother and somehow you get used to living with that ache deep inside because that is what Motherhood is all about ... this delicate dance and merging of both the ache and the joy.


Want to join in? (Here are the rules ... or click the button below)

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, so now it is your turn:

A mother's love

A mothers love is gracious, kind, overflowing and limitless.

It knows no bounds, even amidst the angst and trial of everyday schedules, boundary setting and life's highs and lows it looks for the good in those impish grins and mischievous souls.

We find untapped potential in the barest of landscapes.

We can see the end before it has even begun.

Suddenly the horizon is clearer than once thought possible.

The stars not so hard to reach for

and dreams within our grasp.

We pick up those small bundles when they stumble and fall.

Their pain is our pain, we feel it to the core.

It is carried like a badge across our hearts.

We who offer an uncompromising love like a high flying kite,

are the bridge of hope across a gorge of doubt 

and endless insecurities.

We long to see our children reach their full potential 

and see the best in them, even when others don't.

We nurture fledgling self esteems ... 

we cultivate, encourage and protect always.

Every day we begin anew 
and pull out new reserves, new strength and new grace.

We can't help it ... we didn't know its pull before, 
before the days of a babe in arms. 
But we know it now,

this great big life force pulsing through our veins.

This wondrous and sacred thing!

Life like we once knew it has ceased to exist. 

Our hearts melt in ways never before conceived.

We have been changed forever ...

in unimaginable ways.

It is who we are now 

and what we will always be!

Aahhh!!!

I am currently experiencing a disappointing experience.... 

my children are growing up!

How is it that the years just fly by? I remember thinking as a child how crazy adults were to use this expression, yet I now find myself marvelling at how true this saying really is!

ten years

Today I am linking up with Casey for 'on your heart'. With Mother's day just around the corner, our kids are definitely on our hearts and minds this weekend! .....so now a tribute to a few favourite things....the joy of Motherhood in all seasons.

From the time my son could crawl, life has been about taking things apart. It never ceases to amaze me how creative and inventive one can be when given the opportunity to pull something apart. 

Twelve years

I have learnt to appreciate, value and even anticipate the unusual inventions, crazy creations and interesting designs because more than anything I love my sons zest for discovery and learning.

These days instead of brushing teeth and braiding hair I am trying to locate my missing hair straightner and misplaced makeup. The transition to teenager seems to come with a mandatory messy room procedure, how is this possible from a previously meticulous child? 

Fifteen years

I am also amazed that the perpetual cry of every woman " I have nothing to wear" (which by the way is so not true in light of the fact that piles of clothing lay haphazardly on the bedroom floor) begins soooo young. Ahhh the joys of parenting a teenage daughter!

....and don't forget to come back and check out 'Inspire me' this week. We are launching with fabulous and inspiring stories from ordinary girls living extra ordinary lives. The lovely Casey Wiegand will be sharing straight from the heart. See you then.

Motherhood

Motherhood should come with a university degree! How is it that the greatest job on earth expects no qualifications or training. It really is amazing, no experience needed, please sign up here. Hello!

No one ever told me that motherhood was really an oxymoron ... so frightening and wonderful all at once. Somehow I made it through that first year and the next as unprepared as I was. I had no idea that your heart could survive outside of your body and that a piece of you could and would begin crawling, walking and running into a life of their own. Stop, I'm still not ready for this!


No one told me that those pieces of you would never never leave your heart, your soul or your mind, that you would always be thinking about them, wondering if they are okay! Like the first day of school, the first sleepover, the first hospital visit, that operation, the first time riding a bike, that other hospital visit, new friends, new school, the first job ...  it never stops. All this wondering - not when your alone, or with friends, or at work. No matter where they go or what they are doing, there is always a piece of me wandering around out there, my heart outside of my body.

linking up with the Gypsy Mama 

for 'five minute friday'

Click here for more great stories.

The Ebb and Flow of Life

The ebb and flow of a mother's life is not unlike the ocean. Sometimes it is a gentle tide lingering upon the sandy beach; picturesque, mesmerising and serene, yet at other times vibrant, stormy - full and fierce, swirling and tugging her every which way... frothy and bubbling with strong undercurrents. 

Some days are naturally more vibrant and fraught with friction while others are more peaceful and serene. 

Embrace the ebb and flow of your amazing life as a mother with quite confidence, knowing that the storm will dissipate and the currents will move on. Do not surrender to the swirls that would seek to pull you under but drift upon the tide and linger in the vastness of it's beauty and grace. Allow yourself permission to work with the ebb and flow of your full and amazing life. 

When shaping destinies and bringing about change we can not expect that all will be smooth sailing. After all it is only in the refining process that anything of value is honed and polished. 

(Polish - to make more nearly perfect, a pleasing elegant style .. to accomplish a smooth and shiny finish) 

So if your child needs a little polishing then polish away and if you find yourself being polished then revel in knowing that you will come out of it with an elegant and refined style ... a finely polished soul and spirit - lovely.

 It is in such challenges that we are afforded a view of who we have become - glimpse the reflection that is you.

Value the depth and limitless boundaries of the love that has grown in your heart, 

marvel at the unending sacrifices you didn't know you cold make, be amazed at the perseverance that arises from deep within 

and stand in awe of the lives taking shape before you. 

You are living a vibrant, purposeful and delightful life.

When hope seems far off and dreams out of reach, you may just find that anything is possible.

© Copyright k.weight 2010