On being a creative mother.
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There is this awesome artist I admire, Keri Smith, who is also a mother, and I recently came across a blog post of hers where she tried to answer someone’s question about whether you could become a mother and still be a creative artist. The part about her answer that got me was what I am pasting below. It really spoke to me and I thought I’d share.
there are moments/days that are so very trying it unbelievable, (and I have the sense that there will be many more of these in the future.) on the whole I believe that this discomfort is not only valuable, but what makes life truly fulfilling. For me life is all about contrast and if you are looking for a smooth and easy, maintenence free life then maybe having a child is not for you. Some days in the beginning I thought, “I have to get up tomorrow and do this all over again? wow.” …
but the rewards are plentiful. what no one can explain to you before you have a child and what you can never understand, (even if someone tries to explain it to you) is how you will love this thing more than anything you’ve ever experienced in your life. It’s like falling in love all over again, but on a new plain of existence. it feels a lot like getting the coolest present ever, something that you want to play with all day and show to everyone you know, (I know this sounds terrible but so what). you want to quit everything and give this little being the best life you can imagine.
It’s hard to explain to someone who isn’t a mother what it’s like to be one, but I love how she tried and she describes how I myself feel quite well.
If you want to read the entire article/answer, it’s here http://www.kerismith.com/blog/archives/000555.html
And because I can’t stand to write anything on here without adding a photo, here’s a mother daughter scrapbook layout from a couple years ago.
If you can’t read my handwriting, here’s what it says:
I have learned…
that life doesn’t always turn out like you plan.
that there’s a reason for everything–maybe you just don’t know what it is.
that my time here could end at any moment; I should try harder to remember that.
that there’s no time like the present, so slow down, spend time with your child NOW, this day, this moment.
that it’s little things that make life sweetest.
(Man, I love this kid.)
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