Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Sometimes a Mom Just Has to Sit!

Most mom's I know don't sit down a whole lot, unless they are at work, sitting at a desk.  There are times, though, when a mother must just sit.

A mother has been just sitting near my house for the past few weeks. It is a mother bird. She has a nest in the rafters beneath our deck. Periodically, I go around the house and check on her. Each time that I have, she has still been there - - just sitting there.


This photo was taken with a zoom lens, so as not to disturb this mother bird!
She reminds me of myself many years ago in May, when all I could do was sit. I was the mother of a toddler, and pregnant with my second child. One day I began experiencing contractions - ten weeks too early! The doctor determined that while I did not need to be in the hospital, my activity needed to be drastically reduced so my baby would not be born too early. Initially I was on bed-rest with bathroom privileges. After a bit, I was allowed to go up-and-down our flight of stairs one time each day. I still had to refrain from doing any lifting (including our toddler), housework, or standing (except to go to the bathroom, thank goodness!) All I could do was sit.  And sit.  And ... sit.

This mother bird is more prepared than I was. She sits in a nest she built before she laid her eggs.  I had been buying fabric to decorate my nursery the day my contractions began.  In the ten weeks I sat around, I was frustrated that I had not yet "feathered my nest." It was hard to explain to my toddler why I could not be more active with her, although fortunately we still managed to have lots of cuddle time. I felt badly my husband had to take over so many of the tasks I usually did. Being idle for weeks was not something for which I had anticipated or prepared.

The weeks did pass, and we managed. A short while before my due date, with my baby no longer at risk, my activity restrictions were lifted. I got as busy as the bird had been when she built her nest.  I sewed curtains and bedding, and stenciled the nursery walls. I cleaned the house and I played with my daughter.


The sewing and stenciling of this room probably would never have gotten done,
if I hadn't managed to do it before my second baby was born!

My due day came ... and went. The contractions continued, as they had for weeks. Finally, three days late, I gave birth to a wonderfully healthy baby boy. Every day of the past 17 years I have been thankful for those weeks that I just sat.

Sit, mother bird, sit. When your eggs hatch, you will be so glad that you did.


8 comments :

  1. This was so beautiful! Once again we have something in common. I was on "modified" bed rest with my second son, and my older one (2 1/2 at the time) was so mad that I couldn't get off the couch and play with him! I still ended up having T three weeks early, but he was healthy and fine. Great job "sitting" - you're such a good mom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is the same age difference between our kids too! You are a great mom too Lana!!

      Delete
  2. I totally agree. Sit, have a cuppa when you feel like one, go to the toilet by yourself, walk out of the door, shop when you need to. Ahh, the things you miss as a mama haha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But, oh - the invaluable things you gain ...!

      Delete
  3. What a great story, We have a pair of rabbits that have babies and we watch them all the time. Its amazing how nurturing animals can be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Baby bunnies - how wonderful! Animals of every type really are amazing.

      Delete
  4. We just had a nest of baby birds born on our porch. I loved watching the mother first sit and prepare for her babies then she was so busy feeding them and caring for them. I was sad when their sweet chirping sounds went away as they left the nest. Your story is beautiful and yet another reminder to enjoy the moments.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jennifer. I'm glad you got to enjoy the baby birds!

      Delete

If you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you share it on your social media sites and with your friends!