Friday, September 19, 2008

The Reason Why

You know how I told you all not to have kids? To keep your chic condo, 2 door car, and convenient travel?

Well, I forgot to warn you that you will never know True Love if you don't.

I know, I know--but you LOVE your husband! You LOVE your parents! You LOVE your dog, that dog is just like your baby...

Nope. I know it's hard to believe, but all of that is nothing compared to how you love your child.

True, when they've sloshed Iodine all over your bathroom or embarrassed you in front of a room full of strangers, that love isn't quite as close to the surface as usual.

But the rest of the time, I can't even describe. Just looking at those photos of Big Kid makes my eyes well up with tears. Seeing him walk away from my car in the morning, his big backpack bouncing up and down on his little frame, makes my heart pound with pride and fear and happiness. Just thinking about little kid's chubby little smile before I go to bed fills me with warmth and contentment and the ability to do it all again tomorrow.

I can't tell you how many times I look at their sweet faces and think, "I did that. I made that. That little person is a piece of me and my gift to the world. They are my legacy."

So, there is nothing wrong with choosing the 2 door car and the chic condo with glass tables because you'll never know what you're missing anyway, but I just wanted to try to explain what you would be missing out on because it's totally worth it, even if my house currently smells like pee and is covered in toys.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

they are amazing aren't they? I can't tell you ho many time a day they make me mile. (damn key are broken) early morning cuddling i my favorite thing ever.

A Belle and her Beau said...

ASHLEY!!! You just made me cry!!!

Unknown said...

It is all worth it, even if we have to remind ourselves sometimes. I love the picks, he is adorable!

Theresa said...

Amen. Couldn't have said it better myself. Love for your children is an indescribable type of love.

By the way, do you think it is strange that people you don't even know (like me) read your daily thoughts and experiences? I found the link on one of my friend's blogs, and I love it. My husband thinks I'm crazy for keeping track of a person I don't even know. Actually, I think I'm a little crazy too. Oh well. Keep up the great writing!

Unknown said...

Theresa, it is very weird if I think about it. If I knew how many people would end up reading it, none of us would be here right now because I would have gotten stage fright and chickened out.

I do truly think of you all as my friends though, which is probably just as weird. I really love you guys (well, most of you).

Amy said...

Great post. Totally true.

Scary Mommy said...

So, you ARE a big softy after all? :)
So true. Nothing compares. Nothing.

Caren said...

I can't believe you just wrote this today! I was thinking exactly the same thing as I kissed The Son as he was sleeping last night. The love is just amazing... something I never knew could be that strong.

I was always one of those "my puppies are just like babies" people...until I actually had a baby. Now, the puppies are well...puppies. I love 'em sure but now it's so much different.

Preppy Pettit said...

I just finished mopping my playroom floor with bleach. Well, because I have 3 year old twins and this stupid cat... Anyway, I was dreaming about when I never had these sorts of messes... back when I cleaned and straightened, it stayed that way. But you are right, there is nothing like this love. Nothing!

Emmy said...

Looking at my Nanner's baby pictures this morning on his birthday made me feel just the way you described. I can't believe I had anything to do with that wonderful creation!

Ami said...

There really is NOTHING like it. Oh - and thanks for making me cry. (Although, I'm blaming pregnancy hormones and finding out yesterday that it's a girl!)

Mel said...

Well said.

~Gretchen~ said...

You left out one part.

You have never loved your husband quite like the way you love him when you see him love the child you made together. It's amazing.

And watching your children love each other? I'm crying just thinking about it.

Deb said...

You must have been in my brain five minutes ago, while I gazed upon my napping little boy. It was definitely an "awww... I love you SO much" moment. (Because up until that point, the love was pretty far from the surface.)

Anonymous said...

Yes I got the nod to "glass tables" thing, I'm surprised you didn't put glass coasters in there. ;)
I can't wait to be a Mom, and some days I can. Once I have a back yard babies will be close to follow. If we had the back yard now I'm sure kids would be on their way...

Unknown said...

Well Catfish, I meant to add a disclaimer that all childless people should wait until they're 30 and appreciate how good they've got it until then...so you've got a few months before I really get on you ;-)

Julie H said...

What a great post! Even though they annoy the hell out of me I can't imagine life without them!

Melodie said...

Amen, Sista!

elaines630 said...

Dammit Ashley, I am trying my hardest to ignore that never ending clock that keeps ticking away... and that voice that says "I want to be a mom!(to more than just my cats!)" And now you posted that... I don't need any help!

But it is a great post!

Anonymous said...

I (barely) managed to keep the tears at bay until I read Gretchen's comment-so very true! I love watching my hubby with our daughter...I wish I could talk him into another baby so I could enjoy watching the sibling love too.

Mac said...

WOW such a touching post! And of course, finished off with the candor that makes me cackle aloud :)

KatBouska said...

You're officially bipolar.

I've officially made it official and I'm TOTALLY the official person to make that diagnosis.

I love how one day us moms can be like "i seriously hate my children right now..."

and the next day we're all, "my kids are seriously the sweetest and cutest things to walk the face of this Earth"

Maybe we're all a little bipolar...

Ceci Virtue said...

Awww man! I feel betrayed...

Anonymous said...

you make me proud! now you know why I put up with your 28 year old brother-the feeling never stops, no matter how old.

the rural rube said...

God, I didn't cry until I got to Gretchen's post. There is NOTHING that beats seeing my girls love each other. There is no love to even describe it.

I am absolutely fucking blessed!

I am a Tornado ~ proven fact! said...

That was so wonderful. Perfect even. I used to dream of living in a Penthouse apartment, having an AWESOME job, traveling, entertaining fancy people and livin' the so called life. I was ready for kids when I had my girls and they are my life, its so much more than LOVE. It's loving to the infinite power, and with spouces it's very different, both of us know that the girls will come first in an emergency situation.

Would love to discuss party planning with you!

I'm having a beauty party for my girl on Saturday ... we are making our own perfume, lipgloss and body glitter and the pre-teen neighbor is doing manicures and hairstyles.

I am a Tornado ~ proven fact! said...

Oh ... that may have come out wrong...

And now that I read the comments, Gretchen is so right...my girls love each other so very much, even when they hate each other they defend and lie for each other till the bitter end, they even share punishments if one is in trouble and the other isn't...It is seriously the most wonderful thing ever!

I love my hubby don't get me wrong, but we talked one night and it was agreed, it's not that we don't love each other but the girls come first if there ever has to be a decision, we both agreed. I guess we have really weird conversations.