Mother to Grandmother - A Transition Of A Lifetime • Essentially Sydney

In honor of Mother’s Day, I thought what better way to celebrate all moms than by having MY mom share what it has been like for her to become a mother and then a grandmother! My mama has such a way with words and has described her experience beautifully! Enjoy!

Mother…

When I became a mother for the first time, I was filled with love and fear all at the same time. I had never loved a being so fiercely than the first time I held my daughter. However, I was also filled with fear. I had to keep this little being alive. There is so much responsibility and worry that happens as soon as you find out you are becoming a mom. I worried whether I was doing everything right while I was pregnant. I had these same feelings when I was pregnant with my second child. These thoughts never cease.

Then came all the stages of raising these children into adults. The sleepless nights. Was I a good mom? Beating myself up over mistakes I made along the way. Celebrating each of the joys my daughters experienced, as well as, crying with them at disappointments. Wishing my daughters would go down the safe paths I chose but soon realized they had to make their own way. I prayed constantly I was raising children that were going to grow up and be good people.

Honestly, I didn’t care if they were an Einstein, I just wanted them to be good and kind people. I wanted them to know the Lord and to make good choices. I tried to live by example but failed a lot. Most of all I wanted my children to know that no matter what, I loved them. To sum it up is to describe motherhood as a FEELING. The most powerful of all feelings.

To…

Then along came the announcement that I was going to be a grandma. Wow, what a FEELING! My daughter and son-in-law’s journey to parenthood was a wild ride for this mom. I knew about childbirth so I knew what my daughter was going to go through. I had feelings of complete and utter excitement and complete and utter fear. AGAIN!

During this time period, my youngest graduated from college and moved to Texas. Here come the huge feelings again. My husband and I were true empty-nesters. My daughters live in states far from me. This adds new stress. I cannot rescue them when they need help. I cannot see them whenever I want. This is where FaceTime is a blessing. Being able to see my children’s faces while they talk to me, shows me how they really are feeling. I am so proud of my girls. They are strong and brave. They are good people and they both know the Lord.

Grandmother

Enters my granddaughter. Game changer! Words cannot describe the first time I held Brinley Kate. She was just two hours old. I was filled with extreme pride for my daughter. She brought into this world the most beautiful and precious little being I had ever seen. Talk about FEELINGS. I think a smile was stuck on my face for weeks. I’d been told that there was nothing like becoming a grandma. I know now and understand. Seeing my child hold her child was powerful. I thought my heart was going to explode with love. It seems I did something right because my daughter is a wonderful mother.

I am not saying this because I think I am the most awesome mom. My daughters were lucky to have strong women in their lives as they were growing up. It does take a village. I look at my granddaughter from head to toe. Smell her fresh baby smell. Touch her soft and crazy hair. I soak in every thought and I am filled with joy. This time around I can sit back and relax and just be with this little girl. I know her mom and dad will be excellent parents. This is a cherished child to so many. She was so prayed for and will always be loved. I want Brinley to know that she is so loved by her grandma. LOVE is a huge feeling this time.

Here’s To You!

For all mothers in whatever stage you are in, hang in there. You are doing a great job. Your children know that you love them. You are going to make mistakes. This is only going to show your children that you are human. Never stop praying and dreaming for your children. The feelings are always going to be there. ALL of them. Enjoy all the moments. Time does not slow down. You were given the greatest gift. Just do the best you can.

For all the grandmothers, what an awesome club to belong.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Help me show my mother some love, drop a comment below! Looking for some great parenting books? Here is my bucket list! Want to shop Brinley’s outfits? Follow me on LTK!