A Motherheart Journey

Every day my heart takes a journey.
ON this Mother's Day,
I take a moment and reflect on
what being a Mother means to me.

With seven children,
it would be impossible for me
to look in the mirror and see
anyone else
but a Mother.

This Mother Journey I have chosen
has been akin to travelling
the world.
From the greatest depths of the sea
and the grandest heights of mountaintops,
to the parched deserts of Sahara
and swamped marshes of the Everglades.

I have been many places in my life
from one coast to the other
and across the Pond
and back a few times.

As much as I love travelling
and soaking in those places
making my own
"Kodak moments"--
the place I am my best
is where my family gathers
at home.

My travels have taken me to
bright white beaches--
Where my children joyfully jumped into
foamy waves
squealing with delight,
filling their shoes with sand
and my soul with joy.


I have been to Edinburgh
and sat on the Castle
looking out over the Firth of Forth
with sun rays dancing off
my child's head
that lay sleeping in my lap--
breathing in that moment
locking it in my memory.


I have sat at the edge of a campfire
high up in the Rockies of Colorado,
listening to the crackling wood
and giggles
of little voices and
runaway flashes of light
beaming from inside a happy
glowing tent...
knowing that
Life is good.
Staring up at a midnight sky
full of stars
and counting my blessings
that began with my firstborn
and
knowing many gifts
have yet to come into my sphere--
feeling like father Abraham,'
whose posterity number as the sands
of the earth...
my blessings are so many.

I have moments
of gratitude--
whether it's in the grocery store--
"thank you for our bounty"
or driving up to the house--
"thank you for this shelter"
or cruising up to see Dean at his host home--
"thank you for helping me take care of my son.
thank you for those who help him."
or buying clothing for my children--
"thank you for being able to provide for my babies"
or reflecting on past experiences--
"thank you for preserving my life and my children's lives."

--all of these little moments, add up and
fill me with gratitude
because I know

I know
that there are Mothers all over the world
who mourn over their children,
who cannot give their children food and shelter
clothing and medical attention...
and there,
but for the grace of God
go I,
as my Baptist roots have taught me.
I don't want to take my blessings for granted,
and life has taught me that I cannot.


The truth is,
wherever my children are,
my heart is also...
as the youngest leave for school each morning,
my eyes follow them out the door
down the street to the bus stop
and my heart goes to school every day.


My heart also lingers
in Meridian, Idaho
where David Scott and Tisha live...
I can't help it,
there is no retrieving possible.


Up and down the Front Range of the Rockies
my heart
takes a journey each morning
as I say my prayers...

to Dean's house near the Devil's backbone,
and south to
Dani and Mr. Idaho's little
student apartment
where the Golden child lives...
and back down the mountain range
to my own corner of the world.

Every day,
my heart takes a journey.
This Mother Journey
is my life.

It is what I have been sent here to
BE.
To DO.
I may yet travel to many places
in this life,
but the journey is only worth it
if my family is along with me.