I’m thankful for the opportunity and challenge of being a mother.  I’m thankful that I grew up with a loving mother and that I have a chance to pay it forward.  I’m glad I get to feel the love of my children and shower them back with unconditional love.  I am able to mold them into the vision of perfection that I have in my mind while making allowances for their personalities and unique abilities.  I hope that my shortcomings do not hold us back from that goal.   I want them to be good people with faith in God and love for humanity.  I want them to work hard and play hard and make their mark on the world.  I want them to experience love and have good health.  I want them to be safe but not be afraid to take calculated risks in life.  I want them to be so much more than I am but I need to give them a foundation of good values, love and security.  This is my first challenge as a mother and my second and hardest is to be able to let them go as they grow and find themselves and then love the person they grow into.  I miss my cuddly babies but I enjoy my little boys with all their stories and experiences.  I’m sure I’ll miss that too as they become detached teens but I’ll love seeing them blossom and have adventures. Each age has its struggles and joys but  I’ll do my best and give them my love so they know there is always a safe haven with mom.  I’m sure we will hit some bumps along the way since I’m not perfect, but hopefully those won’t be serious.  After all, there needs to be something about childhood to complain about to a therapist!