An open letter to new mothers

Dear Mother…

As you embark upon your first year of motherhood, I want to share with you some thoughts—all right, and some advice, I admit it—based on my own journey through those first twelve months, so recently completed. It is incredible to me, after the agonizing slowness of those first days at home, that the rest of the time has gone by so quickly. Alex’s habits, preferences and routines are now an integral part of our household—not the center, but one side of an equilateral triangle whose center is the stuff a family is made of. Yet I do remember what life was like before he came—and what it was like to be brand new to this state of life called “motherhood.” …(Read more)

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Note: This letter was originally written for my younger sister on the occasion of the birth of her daughter, Eva, in 2006, shortly after Alex celebrated his first birthday. For the next two years, I altered it for every family birth, and in 2009, my editor at Family Foundations, Christina Capecchi, published it. Now I leave it in its current form for any mother who stumbles across it. God bless you all.

Published on May 30, 2008 at 6:50 pm Comments (10)

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On September 28, 2009 at 2:11 pm Mom2Miles said:

What a beautiful letter! I love this line: “He is the part of you that you never knew was missing.” And I wholeheartedly agree that having kids has made me more productive.

Thanks for stopping by my blog & for your comments!

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On January 28, 2010 at 9:54 am Little M said:

Lovely. I especially like what you said about treasuring nighttime parenting. It’s easy to get caught up in the negative about missing sleep, but you’re right -it is a very special time!

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On February 15, 2010 at 6:16 am Identity Crisis « So much to say, so little time said:

[...] different than being Alex’s or Nicholas’s mom. Becoming Alex’s mom made me part of “the club”. Becoming Nicholas’s mom meant that I had to learn “zone defense,” as Christian [...]

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On March 16, 2010 at 12:52 pm Jenn @ Beautiful Calling said:

Oh, this is lovely. Though my youngest is only 18 months, that time seems very long ago!

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On March 19, 2010 at 9:09 am linda said:

hiya. thank you for coming by my blog AND commenting.

it gave me the opportunity to visit you and read this touching letter.
i’m not a mother.. but as a nonmother, i have to tell you this gave me goosebumps. here’s hoping that i get to experience what you wrote about in my lifetime!

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On July 24, 2010 at 6:20 am akbutler said:

this was beautiful…as a mom of three, I totally get it.

Did you know that “Chicken Soup for the Soul” is looking for submissions for their new book for new mothers? I think if you go to their website they have info about it…in case you’re looking for another place to publish some work.
Alysia
http://trydefyinggravity.wordpress.com

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- On July 25, 2010 at 9:44 am Kathleen said:
  
  Thanks, Alysia. Yes, indeed, I did know @ that one; I already sent them something. (Crossing my fingers!)
  
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On April 4, 2011 at 5:22 pm alisa said:

this letter expresses my heart exactly!! you just put it on paper! These days do fly by…..my oldest is 17 now and I still remember how her downy head felt in my hand. I am now holding my 8th child in my arms just one month fresh and I have been trying to figure out a way to slow time….thanks for sharing this letter!! And I hope you enjoy the recipes!!

Alisa

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On October 4, 2011 at 5:49 am theblondemonstersblog said:

Love this post!! As soon as I can figure out how to share it-I definitely will!!

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- On October 4, 2011 at 6:50 am Kathleen said:
  
  The actual file URL is probably the way to go. Hope you do! This is one of my favorites.
  
  Reply

So much to say, so little time

Life at the intersection of faith, parenting and the written word