The Fisher Family circa 1996 – My 40th birthday — the heart of my stay-at-home mom years. . Caragh, age 9, Geoff, age 7 and Grace age 3. And Doug with brown hair!

Today I am grateful for the privilege of motherhood.  27 years ago today, I became a mother (Happy Birthday, dear Caragh!).  It was a day of hard work ,exhaustion and complete exhilaration.  And the only thing I knew that day was that I had no idea what I had just gotten myself into!

Before my children were born, I thought that when I became a mother, I would be the one dispensing the knowledge and insight and wisdom (the arrogance of youth!).  Never did I imagine how much these three little people would teach me!  Doug and I always said our kids were like our little Zen masters.  It was as if they knew exactly what it was we needed to learn to expand, go deeper, and love more authentically.  Because they were all so different, they each taught us different things.  Caragh taught me to let go of expectations and allow things to just be (still working on that one as I write this :)).  Geoff taught me how to NOT be a helicopter parent by insisting on independence and autonomy from a very early age.  And Grace taught me how to live in each moment with a real sense of joy — she was a child just filled with joy!  All of them reflect the love and wonder of God for me.  And all of them really, really make me laugh! Raising our kids was a true experience of holiness for me — chaotic holiness, but holiness nonetheless!  My years as a stay-at-hom mom weren’t always easy, but they were a true blessing, and all in all, very, very fun.

As I watch my kids now become their own adult selves,  I am delighted to see them find their own ways in life.  And I am humbled that God lent me these little people for a period of time to help Him launch them into the world.  I am so much better for having mothered them.  My heart has been broken open to such a deep and abiding love.  And for that today, and everyday, I am most grateful.  Thank you Caragh, Geoff, and Grace. Thank you, Doug, for taking the journey with me.  And thank you, God, for everything.