Last week, I found out that a mother of one of Little Miss’ friends at preschool died unexpectedly of a heart attack. I didn’t know the woman, but the news really floored me. You don’t expect someone my age to die of a heart attack, and my heart breaks when I think of all that she’s going to miss in her daughter’s life, and how much her daughter will miss knowing her mother.
My Mom used to tell me growing up that “a daughter needs her mother.” I never really thought much about that comment, but now that I have a daughter of my own, I see from a different perspective and agree with her whole heartedly. One of my many prayers each night is that God will let our little family lead long, healthy lives together. But there is definitely a special bond between a mother and a daughter, and there are so many things that I think a father just wouldn’t think about or have sensitivity. I mean how can a man understand the crazy emotions during puberty, or what it feels like to be on the outside of the popular girl clique? Or how challenging prom dress shopping can be?
I also think how no one would love my children as I do. There is a bond you just can’t replace when you grow someone in your belly, nurture them as a newborn, and watch them blossom into the children that you are. The idea of me not being able to finish raising them is a devastating thought, so I try to focus on how I can try to lead a long, healthy life.
My heart breaks for that entire family. The day I heard the news, I hugged my kids so tight, thankful that I am able to pick my kids up each night. I’ll take a bum knee any day over missing out on a single day with my kids.
