I came across this poem that my aunt gave me many years ago. When I had children, I decided to stay home and take care of them every day, all day, so you can see how much this poem means to me.
The girl I used to be...
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully;
Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes that I had for you?
The great career; the splendid fame
All wonderful things to do?
Where is the mansion of stately height
With all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels for your hair?
And as she spoke, I was very sad,
For I wanted her pleased with me...
This slender girl from the shadowy past
The girl I used to be.
So gently arising I took her hand,
And guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay
Innocent, sweet and fair.
And I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;
That silken robe is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.
And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know;
Is serving each day in these sheltering walls
For the dear ones who come and go.
And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me;
And I saw that the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl that I used to be.....
~Rowena K. Lewis
When my kids were in school, I worked as a Teacher's Aide, Photographer, and other jobs, but most of my time was spent raising them. Sometimes it was a difficult thing to do being with them all the time, but it is something that I've never regretted, and I wouldn't trade the experience I had teaching, disciplining, guiding, playing and dancing with, and loving my children for anything.
~Sheri
35 comments:
Beautiful wise words...Motherhood is the greatest career...
I too, was a "stay at home" mother. :-) We wanted it, that way. He worked long hours, and I tended the home/children. But he also helped, when those long work hours were over.
He made the money. I oversaw the spending, and was very careful, with it. No keeping up with the Jones' for us. He always says, we are a 50-50 team.
Actually, I didn't have any grand dreams. :-) As we used to say, back in the 50's, I went to college to get my MRS. degree. :-)
Simpler times. Oh how much simpler times. :-)
And through the years, married in 1958, I have lived through all the changes. It's been an interesting ride. :-))))
Gentle hugs,
Tessa
I understand every single word, my friend. What a perfectly timely poem for me, especially now that the nest I devoted myself to is not as busy as it used to be.
We are makers of homes! Full nest, empty nest, nest for two or four or even one. Making a home is the most privileged calling of all, and the most difficult work too. Yes, WORK. I wouldn't change a thing.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
xoxo
Women are too tough upon themselves. Mothers are all love and generosity. While the woman questions and demands the answers. The mother just hopes, love and trust.
You did the right choice as your children grew up being women and man of valor for society and an inspiration to all that come across their path.
Was it the right choice? It's up to you to decide. Me, from far, thinks it was. That success wasn't granted, Those kids will always be a human success. I hope mine - children of a working out of the home mother - turn out half as perfect.
Hugging you close,
Teresa
Sheri, this is the life I chose as well. I have never regretted my decision to be a full time mother. I feel many women these days feel they must have two salaries to live. In some cases that may be true. I am so thankful that I didn't have to make that choice! ♥
This is the "occupation" I thought was destined to me when I first got married. If I would have taken it up, I KNOW I would have loved it. But our circumstances took us both elsewhere, where I had to work and go to school until one day I looked in the mirror and realized I was in my mid forties. NO kids for me at that point of my life, I decided.
What can I say about this poem? GOOD IS GOOD. Rhyme these days is not as popular in poetry as once before but that doesn't matter. There is a truth here, a true and rhythm that dances with the life of women. For some of us, that shadowy guest appears to remind us of other things, but we all have it, HER. YOU have done well, because you have loved well, and still do.
MUCH LOVE back to ya dearest friend! Anita
That poem is beautiful and true. My husband and I shared child care so we never left our children in day care of any kind and I think our children benefited. All those moments with them were precious.
Sweet Sheri, this is the best post ever. I know you are well pleased with the way your children grew up. Me too. It was not always easy, but I too stayed with my girls for most of their childhood...then I worked 30 years..so many times they were without me...but they knew I cared and would be home as soon as possible. So many of us had to changed our plans to live life as it happened. Your memories of your children when they were small will always out weigh anything that when we are young we have considered glamorous . We are blessed. :):) I have great admiration for you being a loving stay at home mom. Bless you, xoxo, love you girl, Susie
Beautiful truthfull words in this poem, and it's wonderful that such family poetry can be looked back as to having and holding such meaning in our lives passed.
Yes, motherhood a hard job, and many goals In the direction we take it in.
Here a mother of two, and worked all the way through it, and made sure I puts hours and hours of mothering as well into the work field.
I could see this sweet poem as a reminder of what our Mothers plan are for each of us.
See you soon dear,
Beautiful share
Xx
Dore
I could have written this. I did the same. A lovely poem. A lovely career choice.
it is always good to be there for your children when They grown up....you are a good mom Sheri....love from me Ria x happy weekend
To care for your children is always been undervalued but it's the future and the most important job of all.
Merle..........
I raised four sons and stayed home with them. I even homeschooled some of those years and I'm so glad I did. The time goes by so quickly and then there's time for other things once they are grown and have moved away. I love to remember the happiness of those times. Hugs, Diane
Sheri,
This is so special. I also am a stay at home mom. I agree, at times it can be very challenging. Keeping a tight budget (because we do just have one income)
But, I would not trade it for all the $$$ in the world. I am so blessed to be home with my boys.
Thank you so much for this,
Carla
Oh Sheri, that was such a lovely post. I'm with you. Never have I regretted the years of being a stay-at-home Mom....the wages lost, the career put on long hold. Never! My children were the most important "job" of all and I loved them with all my heart. Truly, I feel so sad for the young mothers of today who trade their jeans and t-shirts for suits. I see them hauling their precious little ones into day care centers where they are cared for by strangers. Many of the moms are totally exhausted by day's end and then the few hours they have left in the day, they are tense and anxious to get the little ones into bed. There is time for almost nothing.I know many women "have" to work. However, I think giving up some of the material amenities so that one can live for a few years on one salary is SO worth it. We were blessed to be with our kids, Sheri (I was always broke but also rich, in a different way.) Hope your weekend is terrific. Susan
Sheri I love the poem and motherhood is God's greatest gift.
Sending love,
Vera
Oh what a beautiful poem. I am so happy that you got to be with your children - I am sure they loved you being at home.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Mary
Dear Sheri,
I was a stay at home mum also when our children were little - makes all the difference rather than they having to go to day care. We made the decision to be there for them and they were the most important part of our life.
Hope you had a happy Easter and now wishing you a great weekend ahead
Hugs
Carolyn
Wise and wonderful, sheri. I so enjoyed this post.
Amalia
xo
Good morning sweet friend! So great to see you in my blog comment section. Poetry is uplifting no matter what the era especially when it speaks to hearts from back then to now. HAVE A SUPER DAY!
Ah, there is it again - your wonderful poem !!
Although my plans were different: I wanted to be successful in job and make career :), I also decided to stay at home to take care of the children. And I do not regret anything: it was a wonderful time, seeing them growing up and become strong personalities! Today I have a part-time job as a secretary and sometimes I think how do all the other women function playing a role as mother, wife, housekeeper, manager and all with fulltime job. It's not easy and I am very happy that we could manage this with only my husband working.
So, when the girl I used to be comes along, I hope she will be satisfied with me and my life :)
Have a wonderful weekend, Sheri!
Love, Barbara
Dear Sheri
There are tears in my eyes as I read your wonderful post.
Just perfect all of those words.
We all have to make our decision taking account of personal needs and circumstances.
All I ever wanted was to grow up happily ... I did.
Get married ... I did.
Have children ... I did.
Look after them, and bring them up to the best of my ability ... I did.
Of course I am saying I did ... but it helps greatly to have a wonderful person by my side to make a special 50 -50 partnership.
Enjoy your Friday and all good wishes for the coming weekend.
All the best Jan
Those words touched me deeply Sheri!Motherhood is a divine purpose in life.You have been a great mother and chidren who have lived happy and protected in their childhood will never be bad as adults.
Happy weekend dear friend!
olympia
Oh trying to balance motherhood and career! It was never, never easy! In an ideal world, we should be stay at home mothers....I so believe that! When the bills had to be paid and college tuition was due...it sometimes took three jobs! Everyone turned out find! Praise God! Lovely post Sheri! Have a lovely weekend!
Dear Sheri,
What a beautiful post... All you need do is look at your girls and see what they have accomplished to know in your heart you made the right choices. You should be so very proud of their accomplishments and yours.. You, and the girls, or should I say women, are truly blessed.
I wish I could have always been a full time stay at home mother. Needing to work when they were in school.. We all do the best we can, and believe that the lessons we have instilled in our children along with much love will prepare them to spread their wings at adulthood and believe they can reach any goal with hard work.
Such a great share today...
Love and blessings,
Penny
This is very beautiful. My mum was the same and this post reminds me so much of her.
A beautiful post, and some beautiful comments too Sheri. I also stayed at home when my children were small and would never have wanted to do otherwise. Later I tried to work a bit when they were in school, but it was not possible to have a 'career'. By the time my youngest finished school, I did feel the need to expand my mind and went to university. It was the best thing I ever did, learning for its own sake, and later using those skills in another area. It saddens me that my grandchildren have spent so much time in day care, but it is the way of today's world, it seems. A great topic, dear Sheri.
I agree, I stayed at home with my son until he was old enough to start kindergarten. I'm so glad I did. The time spent with children goes so fast, they are only young once. Have a blessed weekend my friend.
xoxo
Kerri
What a beautiful post. My baby is now 8 months old. I'm so thankful that I am able to stay home with this precious child. I hope you are doing well. Hugs to you! -Lauren
I recently learned that I am going to be a great-grandmother, and that my granddaughter-in-law wants to be a stay-at-home mom, maybe growing a home business too. I know that's difficult for young couples to pull off today but I hope she can. I am so astounded at women who work and raise children and take care of a home. I don't know how they do it, truly.
I was able to stay home as I worked at home as secretary/bookkeeper for our family business. I wouldn't take anything for all those years. I hope they feel the same way.
I have to admit this brought tears to my eyes, I needed this right now. Your right there is no greater job in the world than being able to be there for your children as they grow and I wouldn't trade it for the world.I hope you have a beautiful week Sheri!
I think the girl you used to be would be a good friend to the woman you've become, my dear mom. And though I don't have kids myself, as a teacher, I am especially appreciative of stay-at-home mothers who bring up their children to be conscientious, compassionate, and caring young people. Thank you for all your years of dedicated work to instill these values in me, my sister, and brother. Love you. ( :
~Nel
That is such a beautiful poem Sheri!
Oh I just knew you were a good Mom and that you gave it all of your heart and soul. It is easy to see why all of your children adore and honor you.
I just know you are their best friend.
I believe that we live in an age where Motherhood is not recognized as it should be and it saddens me. I am a glad that you wrote this post and I hope it touches many hearts.
Being a Mom was and is my greatest honor and joy.
Love,
jemma
This poem is a beautiful gift from your Aunt. I have never read it before. It holds much meaning for me because my children are my jewels too. I am a homemaker/mother of four. I homeschooled for 20 yrs.Now they are in careers and college. Only one child remains home while attending college and I am still here tending the home and gardens. I love my life at home. xx
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