These words would come close to my feelings, when I reflect on how having a child touched my life.

A fierce, protective, nurturing love all wrapped up in this tiny little bundle. I may have been the tender age of 19 when I was introduced to the passion and the wonder of becoming "a mum'. But what an 'Intro,' it was to be, this tiny creature had enabled me to fall hopelessly, endlessly in love, as I screamed "I am never, ever, ever doing this again, and Yes! I really meant it." I had just endured four hours and twenty minutes of the most horrendous pain I had known in my life.

It wasn't one of those Loves at first sight moments. If at all possible, it was deeper than that! It was if the laws of life and of nature had changed in a heartbeat, with, such a natural progression to do so. I changed in a heartbeat; there was no major drama in doing so, no reticence on my behalf, whatsoever!
I would become nurturer, carer, provider, protector, fiercely! Without even a second thought, I would be in all entirety, all this little person needed with not a moment's hesitation, to do so.

Nothing could have and I'm so glad it couldn't, have ever prepared me for the way I was going to feel. I was hesitant about becoming a mum, due to circumstances that it didn't quite go to plan, But; having said this, I don't think I had a plan, I don't think I intended to remain child free in my life. I'm not to sure what or where my thinking was going; all I knew is that I wanted to be loved and recognised, quite simply, just for who I was, first and foremost.

The scars of my childhood had robbed me initially of the ability to know that I was someone special, someone who deserved to be loved. So primarily my quest was to find 'In me', that love and acceptance, we all need to exist, in what could be a very hard, hard cruel world.

Little did I know that my Introduction to 'Love', was to be, by having my little baby boy child, my little man that needed me. That in that, goofy toothless smile, he could set my heart a flutter and cause my spirit to soar. He didn't reject me; he didn't do anything but just need me!

What an awesome experience, to find the answer to all the questions of Life", wrapped up in this little blue bundle. Were there tears and sacrifice, yes; many, many times. Did I count these as a negative, never!
My four children taught me, patience with the world and the rest of mankind, they taught me supreme, unconditional, joyous love! Yes, they were my world for the precious time I had them entrusted into my care.

When they started to grow their fledgling wings, they taught me that I had no need to cling onto them; they were safe in this knowledge and had grown those wings that they needed to fly. I didn't have to tip them out of the nest; they just flew when the time was right.
When they choose the person that would be beside there side hopefully for the rest of their lives, they choose with enough wisdom to know, they needed a person with a good, good heart, as the rest usually takes care of itself.

As they have continued to grow, three of my children, now, have become parent's themselves.
In my little man's, words (who is 28 years old now) as I spoke to him this past Christmas day. I asked him how he his little 10 week old son was doing. His words made me feel unbridled triumph as he said in a voice that choked with emotion. "He is a legend, Mum"!
His answer made my heart sour as I heard the same supreme, unconditional joyous love in my little man's voice. As he now to, spoke from his 'Father's heart'.

What I had achieved was mammoth; I had broken a long line of child abuse, and hardship. How you ask?
Quite simply by known somehow that this child's right was to be safe, to be loved, to grow and flourish in a peaceful environment. Never ever, should it be that they have to question this right!

Having a child was my life's greatest moment, for in this I had found all that I sought, questioned and longed for.
Being a parent is a both a privilege and a pleasure!
How tragic that this realisation does not exist for all, knowing that, the saying is; for each new breath that is drawn, as a new life has been born, when this 'Precious Child' opens their mouth to laugh, a fairy is born out of their laughter!

What a beautiful world it would be, if, indeed we all believed, this!
Reflections are so, so sweet for this mum! as I ponder the million simply splendid memories that my children gave to me so freely..