THE JOYS OF MOTHERHOOD

My husband had gone to Singapore on an office assignment for a year andafter a couple of months my daughter, Nichelle (aged 2 years) and I joined him. Wewere staying as tenants with an elderly lady who was very loving and helpfuland treated us like her own family. My daughter loving called her Pattimeaning Grandma.

She grew to love my daughter Nichelle very much as she wasvery talkative and always kept her entertained. Things didn't work out forus there and we returned to India. Nichelle is four now and I have a 6month old baby girl Samara but we still keep in touch with Patti. Life nowhas become very hectic since I've resumed office after my maternity leave.

Last week my husband had gone over to my mum's place to pick up Nichellefrom her grandma's where she was spending the weekend. I just put Samara tobed and was getting things ready for the week ahead, when the phone rang andI rushed to pick it up. It was Patti from Singapore. She was not too welland informed me that her blood platelet count was falling. She wanted totalk to my husband who is in the pharma line.

On his return home I informed him of her call and he contacted her.She was thrilled to hear Nichelle's voice.

After the conversation, reassurance and goodbyes, my husband disconnected and I said to him," You always wanted to be a doctor, well here is someone who thinks you are."

"Yes", he said, "this was my unfulfilled dream."
"Maybe one day one of our girls will be doctors" I said.

"A doctor, not me mummy " Nichelle's replied as she was listening to the conversationalthough busy with her painting.

"Maybe a teacher like Miss Zubeda Ali your class teacher" whom she is very fond of.

"No, not that too, " said Nichelle.

"Or a computer artist ,"chipped in her dad.

"No, you will never guess what I want to be" said Nichelle with a smile on her face.

"What baby," I asked her, "Tell mummy and daddy."

" I just want to be a mother when I grow up, just like you, mummy."

I went up to her and hugged my little girl and she smiled.This was something we least expected to hear.

"Mummy I will cook, clean, give my baby a bath, tell stories, sing songs and do all the things you do forus. "

This week I have been thinking about my little girl's dream to be a mothersomeday. For the first time I realized the influence I had in the lives ofmy children and motherhood took on a new meaning for me.

At times I admit, Iwould get frustrated, and want to give up , just feel like relaxing, withsleepless nights, crying babies, illness, my baby's first days at school,teaching her the difference between right and wrong, household jobs thatseem never-ending, rushing to office and making it on time.

At times I feltI could not cope but now everything seems achievable and worthwhile. Yes,I'm thankful to God, my husband and children for the joys of motherhood andalso helping me realize more fully the great sacrifices my parents made forme every step of the way, to help me be a better mother today.

To every mother, yours is a vital and important role in shaping the younglives God has entrusted in your care. My 4 year old girl made me realizethis.