Every Mom's Test

To my beautiful daughter... You are my everything!

Every Mom's Test

© Nandita Shailesh Shanbhag

You are special; you mean the world to me
You are my daughter, a reflection of my entity

Every year, as I watch you grow by my side
No matter what you do, you are my source of pride

The umbilical cord may have been cut but you should know
You are still bound to my soul, wherever you go

Sometimes I am firm and you may think I am wrong
Remember it is easy to give in, but tough to be strong

Sometimes I am strict and you may think it is unfair
But I correct you only because I love and care

I harden my heart and nag, scold and fight
To teach you the difference between the wrong and the right

For soon, the days will pass swiftly all in a whirl
And into a woman will grow my baby girl

Tomorrow when you need inner strength above all
I hope my values will give you the courage to stand tall

I hope that in my teaching you will find tips few
Soon when you strive to make your dreams come true

At a later date, when the real world you have to face
Today’s lessons will help you go ahead in the race

Some day in the future when a mother you will be
From my point of view, the world you will see

For your baby then you will do what is best
To blend discipline with kindness is every mom’s test.

Falling Apart From Within

Sometimes actions speak so loudly that you can't hear a word people are saying.

Sometimes I feel just like the woman in this photograph.  It all starts with a comment or look, or a memory that takes me back to another time.  Sometimes it's a family member that's inconsiderate or just out right rude, and without a thought of how those words or actions affect you.  Each blow takes its toll, and before you know it the cracked face is what you see looking back at you in the mirror- not the beautiful smile that you continue to show the world.

How would our lives change, if we allowed the people who hurt us to see the damage they cause?  Would they care?  Would it somehow change their behavior?  Would I even have the courage to show my pain to the world?  I don't know, I doubt it.  So I continue to face each new day.  I try to look beyond the cracks and focus on making the smile I present to the world be the most beautiful smile I can create.

God, please give me the strength to wake each day and face more cracks and please don't let me fall apart.

That is all.