I wish it were me

My girls

I wish it were me instead of you.  If I could take your pain upon myself, I would.

How many mothers have said that over the course of your child’s life?

Whether soothing a feverish infant, watching your toddler get their shots with tears rolling down your face, waiting for that daredevil adolescent to have the cast put on or holding back the pony tail of a puking teenager, we’ve all been there.

This pain doesn’t have to be physical either; it can also be emotional.  Those cruel words spoken by a classmate, that first break-up, insensitive teachers and all the other situations they face as they grow.  We know these are life circumstances they have to bear alone, with our tender guidance.

I’ve often wondered what what my girls think when I utter the words,  “I wish it were me instead”.  They might find them comforting or maybe even hard to believe.  The truth is; they will never understand the sincerity or truthfulness in them, until they have a child of their own.  One of mine does understand completely now as she has already experienced this very thing with my granddaughter.

Another thing I know is that our feelings never change, no matter how old they are.  I’m still fairly young myself but I’m firmly convicted that “mother-love” is undying.  It’s too strong to die this side of heaven.

I can imagine being 90 and one of my girls suffering physical or emotional pain.  I know what will come to my mind and the words that will flow from my mouth.  “I wish it were me instead of you” and I will still mean them from the bottom of my old heart.