For over 250,000 generations humans have been on this earth. In every generation there has been a mother who has given birth and, often times, a mother who has looked after a child, whether adopted or her own birth child.
The mothers who have come in the time before us are members of our sisterhood. Most have endured, just as we do, sleepless nights, numerous feedings, sore nipples, childbirth, the list goes on.
And, those mothers before us have also struggled with discipline, keeping a child safe, passing on traditions, acculturation, watching their children become parents, just as we do today. It is our nature as humans.
To the mothers of today: It doesn’t matter if you personally have had a good mother or a not so good mother. This force, this building block, this world tree of all the mothers that have come before us has catapulted us and gave us life.
It has made it possible for us to be the humans we are today, mothers who are taking care of our children. Today.
We are a part of something GREATER.
I think, we mothers can all attest that our jobs are rewarding, yes, but not easy.
Returning recently to the new mom trenches to take care of my now 9 week old has reminded me of how difficult it is to take care of a newborn.
There are the constant feedings, the burping, the rocking to sleep, the wardrobe changes, the clean ups, the diaper changes, etc. I often found myself stopping to think, “Someone did this for me. Someone really did this for me? Wow. “ And, I get overwhelmed with the thought.
I have pictured in my head my own mother being similar to my age and taking care of the little baby that was me. The cuddles and kisses paired with all of the sleepless nights.
Someone did this for me.
I have never appreciated my mom more than I do now after being on the other side. (Thank you so much, Mom. I know you’re reading.)
And, when I think deeper, every one of us was taken care of by another human to make it to where we are today.
Someone did this for us.
And, that’s where I began to think beyond the generations before me in just my own family and to the generations of humans from the beginning of our time on the planet. It blows my mind.
If we let our minds run wild, we realize how MAGNIFICENT of a thing it is that we are doing, raising children of the human race. And, how much we, as humans, rely on each other to survive, which takes me back to today…
Today, to the mom who asked if I needed help in the local super mart as I was juggling the things I bought and reloading them in larger bags, so I could carry them and look after my daughters. She said, “Do you need help? I know what it’s like. I’ve had four kids!”
Or, to the women in my local mothers group who cooked meals for me every other day for over a month after I brought my baby home. These moms understood that I wouldn’t have the time or energy to cook.
We’re all in the same club. We get it. We’re going through it now, or we’ve been there before. We haven’t forgotten, and when a mother reaches a hand out to another mother to make her day even just a smidge easier, that is amazing.
It is our nature to help each other. That’s how we survive.
And, the human motherhood network is grand. We can often be found not just raising our own children, but concerned about the mothers and children around us. And, that is profound. It is the social net that helps keep humans surviving.
World Moms Blog has given me the unique opportunity to interact with moms from all corners of the globe through our words. Whether it’s a post about a mother admitting a reassuring “I’ve done that before” or telling us of a different way to do something as done in her home country, or a mother talking about topics that seem taboo or difficult to talk about in normal conversation, such as pregnancy loss, alcoholism or how she felt when she found out her child had autism, we are helping each other through our words.
We are a part of something GREATER.
Thank you to all the mothers in the world who write for us, and also those who read our blog and who comment on our posts. I enjoy raising my children with you, and my life is richer from our interactions.
And, thank you to all the mothers that have come before us in time. For, they have made it possible for us to be here today.
Happy Mother’s Day.
What do you think? My interpretation of the “something greater” is the “world tree of all the mothers that have come before us [that] has catapulted us and gave us life” and how the current mothers on the planet help each other out. How would you interpret the “something greater”?
(And to those fathers, aunts, uncles, grandfathers, friends, etc. out there. We know we couldn’t do it all without you, either. And, some have taken much greater roles in child raising, too. But today, this one is for the moms.)
This is an original World Moms Blog post by Veronica Samuels. Veronica can be found on her Facebook Page, on Twitter @VeronicaSamuels and contributing to Jersey Moms Blog.
Photo credit to tachyondecay. This photo has a creative commons attribution license.
You’re so right! We have built on what previous generations have done (for better or worse) and it *is* so much easier to understand another’s situation when we’ve been there or, are there. The common thread of mothering links us all together and links us to the girls around us who will one day be mothers too. WOOOOHOOO World Moms!!
Thanks, Karyn! I’m such a different person after becoming a mom. It is so great to be a part of all of this! And yes, Wooohooo World Moms! 🙂
Veronica 🙂
I read what you say and agree and I think back to those that have come before us and I’m in absolute awe. We all know how hard it is, but we also have the modern benefits of running water, electricity, roofs over our heads, electrical appliances like washing machines and microwaves.
We find it hard but how much harder it must have been for our great grandmothers and further back. Mothers as always will rise to the occasion and do what needs to be done and it is the sisterhood of those that have come before us who will stand beside us and support us.
I agree Karyn woohooo World Moms!
Fiona, it’s amazing how far the mothers before us have brought us. And, we’re all taking it and running with it, to carry on the next generations! It’s an amazing thing to be a part of.
Wooohooo World Moms!
Veronica 🙂
Veronica, I adore this post and its message.
It’s so very easy to get lost in motherhood. But when we step back and see the mothers around us, step even further to see the ones before us and after- yes. We are part of something bigger.
Lovely.
Thank you, Galit! I wish we can be here in the future to see how it all unveils. But, nonetheless, it’s fun to be a part of the now of motherhood and make our impact!
Veronica 🙂
Wow! That touched my mommy heart!!! It was beautiful! You put into words how many of us feel. This is one of my favorite post yet. Xox
Jen, you are too cute with your mommy heart! It is great to hear that we’re all feeling the same way!
Veronica 🙂
Greater, yes we are part of something greater. It is truly amazing.
Thanks for writing something so inspiring, Veronica.
And good luck with your newborn!
Brenda,
Thank you! And, thank you for giving me the chance to start writing. Without you, I may not have ever entered the blog world!
Veronica 🙂
I give thanks to my Grandmother and Mother, who are no longer with me, for all the love and support as I was growing up to make me the mother I am today. Although they were not there when my children were born, their spirit and love was always with me. To see my children become mothers and the care they give to their children makes me very proud. I must have been doing something right and so it goes down the line, hoping my Mother and Grandmother looked down upon me and felt the same.
You’re my mom, and this is awesome. I can’t wait to save this post and your reply for my daughters and their children. 🙂 You’re the best!
Love you, mom!
Veronica 🙂
I whole heartedly agree and love your post!!
When I was pregnant, I felt like I was along for the ride, as my body changed and knew what to do. I had to trust it, let go of fears and do my part of taking care of myself. I felt a strong connection to other moms and nature. It was absolutely life changing and eye opening. I felt like my understanding and compassion were heightened. After the birth of my son, I was brought to tears at my parents support and love. Telling them what it meant to me, just never felt like enough. I do my absolute best to raise my children the best that I can, knowing that my actions don’t just effect them, but also their children and so on. It has a ripple effect on my family (born and unborn) and the world and its future. I could go on and on, but bottom line…I agree completely and am so grateful that I am a woman and get to be a part of all of this!
Maggie,
The whole part about your body knowing what to do — isn’t that just crazy!!! All that goes into developing another human and our body is doing it subconsciously — it just mind blowing!! And, you’re right, we’re along for the ride, and everything just unfolds, and then you have your precious child. If only the breastfeeding part played out that easily though! lol!
Veronica 🙂
What a wonderful post that is especially inspiring because it’s from you, our founder! Thank you for creating WMB and sharing your heart in today’s post. As for your question, when the day to day seems overwhelming, I often try to pull out of the mayhem and remember the greater historical and global network of mothers that I am part of. I tell myself that women have been doing this for centuries, so I can too. Plus I often try to remember how blessed I am in my life, both in the love and comfort in which I was raised as a child as well as the love and comfort my children benefit from. I remember that there are mothers in this world with no healthcare, giving birth in primitive and sometimes dangerous conditions, and then working in the fields with their newborn strapped to their back in order to provide for their families. I applaud these women and their strength to endure, and I hope the loving motherhood vibes I send into the universe reach back to them.
Hi Tara,
Thank you!
When I was in high school, I first heard of the concept of immediately returning to the fields after birth in the book, “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck. And, I’ve heard of it several times since. I’m glad you brought it up, because that is what mentally helped me through recovery after birth. I kept thinking…”You can do this! Some women can go out in the fields to work after birth, so you can keep going. We’re made to do this!”
Veronica:)
I love that someone was kind enough to make meals for you every other day, how utterly jealous I am! I so wish I had that when I had both of my girls. I did that for a neighbor of mine when she had her second child. Strange enough, it was something on my bucket list. I always wanted to help out another mother that had a newborn by making her a meal or two, to help with the transition. I hope to be fortunate enough that if my two girls decided to become mother’s one day, to be able to make them prepared dishes, do their laundry, etc. I just want to help out!
While reading your article I thought about my own mother. She lost her mother to cancer when she was 13. I can’t even fathom how hard that was for her. She did not have her mothers’ guidance through the “awkward” stages, through getting her menstrual cycle, through getting her heart broken by a boy. So much she missed out on with her mothers’ absence. I am sure that affected her mothering style too. That said, I was raised by a mother who did not have a mother around, I am sure that is affecting my parenting as well.
Hi Courtney,
My mom lost her mom to cancer when she was a teenager, too. I often think the same — how hard it mus have been. Especially, because my mom is soooo helpful to me and my kids!
And I agree — I can’t wait to help my own daughters if they decide to become mothers, too!!
Veronica 🙂
Amazing post. I so true and you managed to use the right words. merci.
yes, I have often though that Motherhood is something so much bigger than me and my little bubble. It’s crazy how something so common can feel so unbeleivably unique !
I have shared knowing smiles in the street when passing by a mother with a kid the same age as mine the “I-know-what-you-are-going-through” underlined by “-but-isn’t-it-the-best?!” smile, the special club… 🙂 feels great. Just like the WMB club !
Hi Ambre,
Thank you. I like what you said — “I have shared knowing smiles in the street when passing by a mother with a kid the same age as mine the “I-know-what-you-are-going-through” underlined by “-but-isn’t-it-the-best?!” smile, the special club… feels great. Just like the WMB club !”
I like that feeling, too!
Veronica 🙂