To Love Fiercely

To love fiercely is a mama navigating the dark, early hours to comfort her newborn.

To love fiercely is trying what’s best for a little one, even when there is no guarantee and exhaustion has set deep.

To love fiercely is doing what’s best for a child even if it doesn’t offer comfort—for babe or mama.

To love fiercely is letting go of a child’s hand so they can grow beyond home, depart from a mama’s watch, even for a little while.

And the little while grows long and wide and is filled with all sorts of life and heartache and joy and others…and it’s good, even when it doesn’t seem so in the moment…but the love is fierce and unwavering.

To love fiercely is a mama following her child following his dreams and trying to not take the lead—no matter how much distance he’ll gain ahead of her.

To love fiercely is letting go.

When it’s time.

When they’ve grown.

When all the fierce loving has navigated and tried and managed and the effort’s proven well.

And then…

Loving fiercely is watching her child disappear, leaving behind man-size footprints etched toward the horizon, and trusting he’ll come home again.

In that ripened time of accomplishing all a mother can control beneath her roof, even so, the mama’s heart is wretched most of all— for yet another babe is ready to dive into uncharted waters (uncharted for the mama, at least)—and grief and pride and love abounds.

Yet, doubt arises.

She wonders if she’ll ever rid herself of the ache.

But she’ll never shake the habit to love fiercely.

To love fiercely is who she is.