Being a Mother is the greatest gift I have ever received. The gift of life, a child (actually, two in my case – twins), is a miracle. Even more so when another human being, a mother herself, is willing to be a surrogate to give that gift. I became a mother three years ago through surrogacy. My life will never be the same, and I am thankful.
Becoming a mother has helped me understand and appreciate my own mother more. She entered my life when I was five and accepted me and my brother as her own. We presented her with challenges. Overall I was a fairly easy child to raise, but that all changed once I turned 16. I even moved out of my parents’ house when I was 17, which could not have been easy on them. Not knowing where I was or whether I was safe. Wondering if I was going to graduate or drop out of school. Become a statistic. Watching, with love, as I made my own choices, mistakes, and achievements.
My mother wasn’t perfect, and still isn’t. But she gave it her all and did her very best to provide a stable, loving house of protection. She was firm and consistent, teaching the necessary skills to survive and thrive in the real world.
Mothers spend years taking care of others before themselves, tending to all of their needs. They take care of their children, oftentimes their spouses, and then their own parents. When my mother ages and needs more of my time and attention, I only hope that I then take the time to tend to her needs and do so with the same smile she always gave to me from the sidelines of yet, another basketball game.
This is the gift, as a mother, that I hope to give back to mine. Thank you, Mom!
