Yesterday, I posted the funny. It’s easy to pick out the funny posts. But not every nomination comes neatly packaged into a category like humor. So I end up reading all of the posts and trying to find some common themes. Last year, I found a lot of funny, smart, touching posts. And it was easy to categorize them as such.
This year, I found that many many of the posts were very introspective in nature. I loved that. But what I found is that the common theme in these introspective posts was motherhood.
It’s such a complicated thing, motherhood. We love it. We rue it. We long for easier days and private time. Yet we cry as our children get older and give these things to us. Motherhood is an emotion. It’s funny, silly, heartbreaking, beautiful, exhausting, rewarding, and insanity-provoking. All at the same time.
Luckily, these writers stop to reflect on it once in a while.
Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.Â
William Makepeace ThackerayÂ
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The Post Where I Make All *Other* Moms Feel Like They’re Good Moms by Michelle at Honest and Truly
First of all, NO, Michelle. You are an amazing mom. Michelle is a friend I met through blogging a few years ago. She’s laid back, easygoing, fun to hang around. And yet, I never knew what kind of struggles she goes through. Her post taught me what I already knew… that even the strongest of moms are human.
Yes, He Really Is Autistic
The Post I Am Proud I Had The Guts To FINALLY Post by Caraline at Mistress of Mayhem
I generally shy away from controversy on my blog. Which is why I’m including this post on hating breastfeeding. Maybe Caraline knows it (or maybe she doesn’t) but I wrote a post about something similar. I titled mine “Breast is Best but Formula is Okay Too.” Which was another way of me saying that I hated breastfeeding. It wasn’t for me. And frankly, the person that judged me the most harshly for that decision was me. So Caraline and I are kinda kindred spirits in this regard.
I Hate Breast Feeding
Best Open Letter To a Creepy Stranger by ML at I Miss You When I Blink
I like to think of myself as a lioness when it comes to protecting kids. “Mama Bear” sounds so cliche. But ML showed fierceness with her imaginary (?) drama when a stranger entered the protective bubble around her kids. Or should I say “kids”?
We Got Your Danger, Stranger
Best Birthday Letter by Jessica at Four plus an angel
I already know that Jessica is an amazing writer. And while this post really is the best birthday letter, it’s really a celebration of her daughter’s life. A life that transcends diagnoses.
Whisper
The Post About The Moment That Made All 246 Days Worth It by Mary at Cherry Blossom Love
Remember when you were so giddy about having a baby that you documented your pregnancy and photographed the entire birth story? Okay. Me neither. But Mary did! And she almost makes it look like we should go back and do it all over again. Welcome to the world, Parker!
246 days ago
Best Post To Make You See Your Past in Someone’s Present by Jessica at Too Many Fish to Fry
It’s easy to forget that every road to motherhood is different. Many of those paths are paved with infertility, loss, and adoption. Jessica never forgets her own personal pain as she sees another mother heading down that same road.
A Glimpse of What Was
The Post That Clearly Illustrates Why My Blog Is Named What It’s Named by Kelli at Momma Needs a Beer
Motherhood is defined by many indecencies, usually taken by us. We head out with greasy unshowered hair, spit-up laden shoulders, and Costco-sized container of goldfish crackers. And sometimes, on top of that, your pants rip.
Holy Pants
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That’s a lot of reading, right? I know. Trust me, I know. But they’re worth it. Funny, sad, beautiful, insightful, sentimental… all part of the journey of motherhood.
Don’t worry. Still two more installments of Blogmas coming up!
18 comments
Oh Fadra, thank you for linking me, and for what you wrote about my post. You brought tears to my eyes (really, you did). It means the world to me to have this post amplified to more people. I really feel that if I can help just ONE mama to make different choices than I did, than something good came from the pain of losing our baby girl.
Heather – I’m so so sorry and I wish I could tell you not to blame yourself but if telling your story helps you to heal, then I hope this has helped!!
I can’t tell you how honored I am that you included me. Thrilled that 2012 was the year I finally got to meet you in person!
Can’t wait to read all of your other picks.
Jessica – I know I’ve told you this before but you are such a gifted writer. I love reading whatever you write!
I am so honored to be on your page today. Thank you, Fadra.
And I’m honored to have you. Thank you for participating!!
Oh, wow – I can’t wait to read all these. Some undiscovered gems – yippee!
Thanks for sharing “Stranger Danger.” It’s all real. I mean, the part in my kids’ heads where they think they have super-powers, no… they don’t really have super-powers, that I know of. But the elevator encounter did indeed happen, and I did have my hand on that Epi-Pen.
Thank you, Fadra, for this wonderful Blogmas project and for introducing us all to some great stuff!
I loved all your stories. And I think it’s a sign of a good storyteller when I stop and think, “Wow, is that really true?” So enjoyed reading your stuff!
Perhaps, Type A. *cough* Perhaps. Just a little. Thanks for the honor!!
Oh yeah, that control thing. Someone should write a preparatory book called “Parenting for the Control Freak”
I am really honored to be included among such talented writers. Thank you so much!
I’m glad to have discovered your blog and read your posts! Our words touch more people than we can ever know.
Thanks for listing some of my VERY favorite reads and pointing me to new to me bloggers as well.
I’m pointing myself at the same time. So exciting to find something fresh!
My poor reader … altho in this case, I actually knew many of them (patting myself on the back!)
I was pleasantly surprised to learn of so many new and unique blogs. This helps me to become a better blog reader!
That is SO cool that your bro married a Chinese woman. Yea, I know they do it sometimes too, but just didn’t know how popular it still is, LOL. Yea, those dastardly kids sure know how to wrap us around their little fingers! Thanks for the mention Fadra!
We’ve definitely got the Asian persuasion in my family, plus I love learning about other cultures!