It’s easy to look at the days full of meltdowns as wasted days or inconveniences, but I think that maybe they bring about the best kind of heartbreak for a mother. They are the ones that give us insight into who are children are, who we are as mothers, and they break our hearts with new glimpses of grace. So here’s to the hard days in the years that pass so quickly.

I never expected
to be here today:

Little babe
squirming in my lap–and how is it your legs are so long?
Fighting sleep and
all that’s best.

But
an exhausted sigh.
Melting into me,
sleepy breathing
Catching time with mine.

I never expected
to be here today:

Emotional chaos,
tears and stamping– and when did your feet get so big?
All over the wrong
pair of pants.

But
with tears and snot
Mingled on my shirt,
your head nuzzles under
My chin just right.

I never expected
to be here today:

Frustration clouding
grown-up features– and where has all your baby fat gone?
A battle of rights
versus right.

But
you discover I
Love you in the struggle
soon it is you teaching me
What it means to love.

I never expected
to be here today:

Watching babies growing
from a tiny heartbeat
To people I enjoy so much–
and how has it happened so fast?

And
You’re breaking my
heart
One beautiful day
at a time.