Just hours after she entered the world, I quickly dashed over to get a glimpse of her beauty. My eyes locked upon her face. I couldn’t help but to stare at her. Her plump cheeks prompted me to pull her just a little closer in hopes of feeling her cheek next to mine. As her eyes slowly opened and quickly closed, I wondered how she would view the world as she grows. For a brief moment I pondered the thought of how the world would view her, since she was born into a family with multiple children.

I am the older woman now. My days of sitting in the wooden rocking chair nursing a baby are behind me. I spend my days homeschooling our youngest daughter who is a Senior in high school. Where has time gone? For me, the longing to have more children will always be there. Just more one…

Excitement to hear the announcement of another human being knitted in a young woman’s womb can be diminished as I look upon the faces of some of my peers. The way their faces crinkle as if they just sucked on a piece of sour lemon. Their eyes narrow as they roll them while whispering the word, “again”. The women, dignified; they stand tall and proud of their accomplishment of knowing when to stop having children because there’s more to life. So they say…

I am the older woman now. I want to apologize to every woman who has been hurt by words spoken by my peers. You see, we were taught to limit the number of children we have because we needed to make a name for ourselves. We should be known by our great achievements and not by being so-and-so’s mom. Although some of my peers will not admit it, there are moments when we are jealous of you. You are doing the things we wanted to do. We wanted to be a mom with multiple children. We wanted to boldly proclaim that motherhood is a ministry and that we rest in God’s word knowing that our seed would never beg for bread.

Children are a blessing. The hard work of training children are outweighed by all the joy they bring to our lives. That moment when they take their first step with their arms stretched out toward you are priceless. The family picture they draw on a piece of paper depicting you wearing a size two makes you smile. That’s how they see you mom. They do not see you the same way you see yourself when you look into a mirror. They confirm it by telling you how pretty you are. Yes you; even on bad hair days, your children think you are beautiful. Why, because you are their mother.

I am the older woman now. I want you to know that I love watching you engaging with your children. My heart rejoices when you announce another pregnancy. It is not my job to encourage you to limit the number of children you have. My job is to encourage to you love your children whether they be few or many. You will always have my support, encouragement and prayers.

I am the older woman now and I celebrate your children.