Shield of the Lioness

You are your own; in flesh, and in spirit. The bounds of freedom have no limits as you can hunt carelessly in the savannah, and dance in the trenches of danger. Your fur kissed with the warmth of the sun that turns you gold all while you sleep to the soothing cradle of the wind. You. Are. Free. To exist, Lioness.

But in your unconfined existance shall come a restless addendum. Hearts will beat in two, sometimes in unison if you listen closely. Imprints of your paws will become deeply impressed into the earth, and the sun shall rise slowly as it knows you will need more time in your repose. Embrace this grace your body has been blessed with. Creating, an extension of your being; expanding yourself, in flesh, and in spirit.

Lioness,

Over the many years you were placed as guard and gatekeeper of your child's life, and my anguish of your strictness blocked my vision from seeing how truly necessary your actions were.

For a young cub cannot understand why it's mother would violently snatch them away from the river, as small currents of rippling water head towards it.

In these events it has shaped me into the women I am today. From the daily chores of washing dishes, to smartly budgetting to make smart investments. All the while reminding myself that I am human, I will make mistakes, I will fail, and it will hurt, SEVERLY. but I will pray, I will fight, and I will get back up again.

Because you must teach me to hunt if I am to survive.

I thank you.

In these life lessons and trials that I am to learn, it will be one story, that shall echoe in the chaos of my heart forever.

A curious child, watching you mix spices in a pot and create such an enticing auroa in the house, would ask the question, "Mommy, why do you love me?"

A chuckling smile would continue stirring the wooden spoon in the pot before answering, "I was a mother of two, struggling with bills already, and it was hard. But one day I was looking at your siblings playing together and my heart broke a little because I thought to myself 'my babies are going to grow up and leave one day'. and as hectic as it was balancing work and my children, I never took one moment of it for granted, as each one of you added your own version of happiness to my life. The years went by, and your siblings got older and I saw my time cherishing them as babies slowly dwiddling away. But one day, I felt a rumble in my tummy, and in my confusion I ran to the doctor! The doctor tells me that you were in my belly, shows me an ultrasound, and there you were. My little baby."

"But I thought it was hard, mommy?" I would question.

"It was," You reply, "And I was scared. I was scared for you, I was scared for myself. But.."

You break from your stirring, and gaze into deep thought.

"The moment I saw your ultrasound," Your words slow themselves, and you begin to speak as if you were currently reliving that moment. "I saw your tiny little heart beating, and I knew, God had sent you to me so that I would never be lonely. You were my answered prayers, and not mine to hurt, but God's to protect."

You said this to me many years ago, and if I asked you to tell me the story again my heart would listen intently to the words that kept me guarded in your love for (insert my age here) years.

It is a sense of purpose to know that even if no one else will be there, you will be there. you will be there to wipe every tear, to understand every heartbreak, to cradle every emotional breakdown, to calm the angeriest of tantrums.

It is this safety net of a feeling, that I cannot express enough in words, to know that if life tried to knock me down it is my mother who will catch me before I have had the chance to completely break into pieces.

My best friend.

Happy Mother's Day, I love you

-THE FAVORITE CHILD!