by Eileen Schmidt

Created on: August 04, 2009

I have been many places, seen many things and lived various different lifestyles. Life is full of wonderment and surprise, but above and beyond all, the most amazing life experience that I have ever had is that of becoming a mother. There is the amazement of life living within you, an experience like no other. At one point in time pregnancy ranked number one in amazing experiences on my list. Even through all of the ups and downs, the nausea and fatigue, I chose to do it three times. Each time much different than the other. Each time more amazing than the other. New life is about to begin and every little kick and everyday heartburn reminded me of that.

What about child birth? I still look back on each day in the hospital awaiting the arrival of my little one. As painful as labor and delivery was, every second was well worth it. I still remember with my first child having to watch a birthing video at the prenatal clinic. I won't lie, it scared me half to death. How can something so large come out of something so small? With my second child I chose to watch myself give birth in a mirror. Trust me, it was just as visually unappealing in real life as it was in that video. Let me just say that I had to have my midwife take the mirror away because it distracted me from pushing. Nonetheless, these experiences made me appreciate motherhood even more.

I briefly mention pregnancy and giving birth as a part of motherhood and the wonderment of it all because, for me, these times were the gateway to motherhood. I got to not only witness their births, but feel it as well. This brings me to that moment each one of my girls truly entered this world for the first time. The moment that I could see this little person who had been hiding inside of me for so long. Our first meeting, so to speak. Ten little fingers, ten little toes, a beautiful smile and a piercing cry that sings to me. If that isn't amazing, then I don't know what is.

Today, with three little girls ages seven, five and four, My journey with them grows more amazing each day. Each one with their own personality most definitely keeps me on my toes. After having my first child, I learned a lot about myself. I lacked patience, for one. But more importantly, I have learned patience. I am still learning. I have also learned about unconditional love. This is something that I don't think anyone can truly comprehend until having a child.

Throughout our lives there are many people and things that come and go. We live, we love, we lose love. We hurt, we cry, we laugh. How often does a person go through all of these emotions over and over again with the same person? Not many can or will, and in most cases it can prove to be unhealthy to do so. But when you have children, that is the act of unconditional love. Every day is a new experience in life, a new lesson learned. As a mother, I have learned true forgiveness. My make-up has been sabotaged, I have been lied to, my furniture broken, walls colored on, carpet stained. The list goes on and on. But I have learned to not hold a grudge.

Everything about motherhood is amazing. There are so many rules of life and love that fly right out the window. There are so many characteristics of ones self that change. Motherhood brings a whole new meaning to life and a whole new understanding to love. Maybe I should say that the children do, but either way it is breath taking and special. This is, by far, the most amazing experience in life that one could even hope to have.

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