I actually just wrote this paper for an art class but felt that I had to share it with you ladies and gents. Even if it's not Mother's Day, take a moment to remember how incredible your MommyLove's are...
It is not uncommon to be in your twenties and know of eight different women expecting their first, second, or even third child. To be realistic, that number is only going to grow. You may be asking why I would choose the depiction of a new Mother and her newborn child to observe for an art project, and the answer is why not? As I was walking through the art gallery down the road, The Reach, I was looking for a specific piece of work to use as the basis for my assignment. Yet, as I took a step back to think about the other things in my life that represent some of the most beautiful art, I was reminded of a new Mother gazing down at her precious little girl.
For this specific assignment, I have one new Mother in mind specifically, for she and her husband are great friends of mine. Jenn and her beautiful baby girl Grace have left an everlasting impression on my heart, for there is such beauty in the newness of their love. Grace came into this world in the same way as every other human being, knowing but one person, the woman carrying her. It became obvious from the very beginning that this precious newborn knew the voice of her Father and found comfort in his arms. Yet for this specific assignment, it is my desire to focus our attention on the relationship between a Mother and her child. Being that it is my dream to embark on this adventure in the future, a large part of me finds this miracle intriguing and breathtaking.
In the first conversation I had with this new Mother, Jenn made the comment that while she was in the hospital, there were about twenty different people that came to visit her and meet her new little princess. Each one of these people were full of love and kindness, yet Grace seemed a little uneasy until she heard her Mother say, “It’s ok sweetie, this is your …” This was a reoccurring theme that carried through out the entire stay in the hospital, and to some degree it made Jenn feel good. This demonstrated that this child, whom Jenn had only felt but had never truly met, actually knew who she was. She found comfort in her voice, and peace in her embrace. From the moment Grace had entered this world, she knew that there was someone that loved her, and desired to protect her.
As a viewer, you cannot help but feel the desire to experience a love such as this. It’s almost impossible not to feel joy for Jenn as she gains confidence each time she is the only one that can calm her child down. I remember having conversations with Jenn from the beginning of her pregnancy until close to the end and she would say that she afraid she would not know what to do when Grace cried. There were many different comments expressing fear and insecurity, yet that seemed to end once the child came into this world. The comments leaning towards fear or insecurity were more in relation to discipline and everything else that comes later on in a child’s life, which is understandable. I remember the first time I was able to meet Grace, she was hidden under a blanket filling her tummy with warm milk from her Mommy. The look on Jenn’s face was a mix between utter exhaustion and absolute joy. It was evident that there was an immediate connection with her child that was giving her the energy she needed in order to push through the moments of weakness and exhaustion. As a viewer, it is almost impossible not to look at this newborn like a complete miracle. Everything about her life thus far is a miracle, and it’s done completely by God. How can this experience not be related to art?
Sitting back and listening to this new Mother explain the tiresome days she has experienced since the birth of her child, I was filled with such awe. Such awe in the fact that I too was the one keeping my Mother up until the wee hours of the morning, taking every ounce of energy from her. It’s hard not to wonder what it would be like to see my Mother sitting in that rocking chair, looking down at my sweet little face with such admiration and love. Thoughts such as these not only fill me with wonder, but also with appreciation that I was given an incredible family, for not all are given that.
The only issue that I could tangibly come up with this experience is the fact that someday, this little girl is going to grow up and no longer need her Mother like she does now. For most this is not an issue, but something of great joy. For my own Mother, this was an experience of heartache. All three of her children seemed to grow up in their own unique ways in a very short period of time. The weekend after my beautiful wedding day, my oldest brother left to join the Army. Weeks after this difficult reality, my youngest brother seemed to leave the little boy in him behind as he started to grow into a teenager. All of these things are not horrible, and each one of these kids have grown up into wonderful young adults. Yet, the woman that brought them into this world experienced such a great amount of change in such a short amount of time that it left her wondering where her babies went. It was as though one day she was cuddling with all three of these children on the couch, discovering new adventures through a storybook. Then the next day, they were clipping their wings and flying into a new sunrise. So this picture I am left with is that being a Mother has its gifts, for there are many. Yet, it also has an element of heartache and for some, that heartache is more traumatic than others.
So as I sit back and look at this beautiful new Mother, swaddling her precious gem, I am filled with a plethora of prayers. My first prayer is that Jenn can enjoy each and every passing moment with this little girl, as I have with my Mother. I am reminded of the countless shopping trips and the “Girl’s day outs” that were filled with fun, joy, and laughter. My second prayer is that every teenage argument can be tamed with the reality that Jenn just adores her little girl, and desires the absolute best for her. This is something that took time for me, as I was often the one carrying on with that pre-Madonna attitude. My third prayer is that Grace will come to see how incredibly full of wisdom her Mother is. It is my desire that she can appreciate everything her Mother has done, just as I have come to realize. My fourth prayer is a prayer of protection. Knowing what is going on in this world, it breaks my heart to even have to see this precious little angel walk out that door alone. Yet, I am reminded that she has Godly parents, and for that she is blessed. My fifth and final prayer is for Jenn. In seeing what my own Mother has experienced as her nest is quickly becoming empty, I am discovering that this is a difficult transition for most. It is my prayer that she may experience absolute peace and healing when that time comes. Yet, I pray that she is able to enjoy each moment now without ever giving that future thought a moment’s worry.
In thinking about the picture of this precious new Mother and her gift of a baby girl, I am filled with awe in the reality that God created them both. He created this young woman to carry this child until the day she was supposed to be born. He gave her the strength and endurance to literally push through an incredibly long and strenuous labor, and for that I am inspired. It is almost impossible not to capture a glimpse of the glory of God when you picture Jenn holding Grace for the first time. It’s an absolute picture of beauty, for God has bestowed one of his most precious gifts on this young family. He has demonstrated just what this is as the little girl’s name means, grace.
As we are all but sinners, it is incredible to see that because of God’s grace, we are forgiven. Even in our weakness, he pours his gifts upon us, and for that I am eternally thankful. I remember hearing Jenn talk about the name of her baby, and the reason she had chosen it and I was filled with absolute joy. For we have all been shown grace, and now she has been given Grace.
