ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE REPORT:
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Friday, 11 May 2012 By Edwina Hall  Family love is like the wind: instinctive, raw, fragile, beautiful, at times angry, but always unstoppable. it is our collective breath. It is the world’s greatest force … It is our last miracle. James McBride I AM blessed to be the mother of the most adorable two-year-old boy named Archie. Since Archie graced us with his life he has brought so much joy. Joy not only to my husband Matt and I but to so many others; he is our little ray of sunshine. When I was a child my mother showered me with love, warmth, kindness, patience, a good sense of humour and a firm belief in the importance of education—virtues and beliefs that I will always be grateful to her for and qualities I hope I will pass on to my son. It is hard to describe just how important and just how special the bond is between a mother and her child but there is something inseparable about the two, they go hand in hand together. A wise great-aunt of mine, Gwen, who was a physician and wonderful mother to all six of her children, always said that every baby is a miracle and she was right. I am grateful to God every day for blessing me with the miracle of Archie and I could not imagine life without him. There is nothing more rewarding than the first time you hear your child cry, the first time you see your child walk, the first time they say ‘mummy’, their cuddles and kisses, the feeling you get when they hold their hand in yours and the excitement and laughter they find in the simplest of things; they put life into perspective and make you appreciate and realise what is important. There is something amazing about children’s intuition, they give people hope, they are our hope, often bringing a smile to the face of those most in need. One night, while we were waiting to see a doctor, a lady who was in great need of medical attention sat with tears streaming down her face, alone. Other people walked past her turning a blind eye, Archie, however, acknowledged her, paying her attention and through this small act, her tears turned to a smile and her wait for medical help was made more bearable. Each and every day that I am lucky enough to spend with Archie, watching each milestone with love and admiration, is a blessing. I believe that the mother’s role is vital in order for children to grow into happy and confident adults. The role of the father is also crucial and I know how lucky I am to have Matt, my husband, to share the role of parenthood with. Motherhood teaches one to be truly selfless and it is only now as a mother myself that I realise what my own mother, and many mothers around the world, sacrifice as part of this vocation. Of course there are days that seem harder than others—endless nappies, tantrums, rushing between home and work to get dinner on the table, or to file this story on time—but how blessed we are to be given such a precious and worthwhile responsibility, and to know what motherhood is. Archie is the lucky owner of six pet chooks; two of whom who recently hatched out some baby chicks. The mother hens fuss over their babies taking them under their wings with fierce protectiveness, depicting the universal role of mothers, who one day must let their babies go free to explore the world and pave their own paths in life. The role of motherhood is unique to each and every one of us; there is no perfect way to do it. Every day I learn from Archie and he learns from me. I hope that I can teach him happiness, a passion for learning, patience, compassion, responsibility and laughter—but, most of all, love. In the words of Mother Teresa: “Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put into what we do.” |
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