By Alissa Hewison - https://www.facebook.com/alissa.derdall
© 2023 © 2015 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
TO MY DAUGHTER INTRODUCTION
"Miles Patrick Yohnke, your mentoring just shines in Alissa Hewison's article: 'To My Daughter.' What greatness for a woman to say those things with such heart. If only each child could hear this and each mother could say this message. I hope that this is framed and on the wall of the little child's room; and on the walls of our great monuments of humankind."
- Gary Braithwaite
Today you are three weeks old, and it is also by chance, Mother's Day.
I carried you with me every day, had many sleepless nights, picked out names, and saw you on ultrasounds. And after all those days wondering who you were - I got to meet you.
You were born on a Sunday morning, only taking about 7 1/2 hours to get here. Seems to me that you had things to do, hearts to steal, and places to concur. I picked you up out of the water and held you, wondering why no one ever tells you in that moment that there will be a part of you that will be terrified. It seems that everyone is now calling me mom or asking me how I like being a mom. But even after carrying you and birthing you - I'm not really a mom yet, I feel more like I'm "in training."
I'm still learning to be a mom, just like you are learning to be you. To be a person, a child, to exist. Carrying you, having you - that doesn't make me your mom. All the things I have left to do with and for you and the things we will experience together. Those are what being a mom will really be.
There are still many diapers to change, some of which you will dirty within seconds of adorning, and I will laugh, maybe even cry, depending on the day. We will progress further along our journey, you'll get better at telling me your diaper is dirty, and I'll get better at understanding. Together we will figure it out, day by day and little by little.
Your smile is still waiting for you to learn it's there; your laughter is waiting for you to find your voice. And I am learning what things will make you smile and bring you joy. Your laughter will give way to words, and conversations that I very much look forward to.
One day you will find your legs and the strength to crawl, walk, and run as I will find my own strength to encourage you and pick you up when you fall. It will be hard to watch you grow so quick, but I know already how strong you are and you, my little one, are going to do great.
You will have first words, first teeth, first friends, bad dreams and good dreams; And though I can't promise you that you'll never cry, I can promise you I'll be there no matter what.
You will go to school, maybe join a team or club, maybe not. I will cheer you on, drive you to practices or rehearsals, or just for ice cream. We will have fights I am sure, and I'll tell you now: seeing you angry will always break my heart (even if I'm doing the right thing).
You will have best friends, boy or girl friends, hopes and dreams all your own and I hope you know that I will do everything I can to make those dreams come true.
You will make mistakes, so will I, and we will laugh about them later, over tea. Together. Every day I will watch you become more of you and try to make sure you know how amazing that person is. No matter the adventures or the misadventures we have; I love you and nothing will change that.
One day when we are older, me much more so than you, we will have grown and learned so much. You will still be my little person, but you will be all of the person I know that is in you. I will have grey hair, I will still love you unconditionally, and I hope that I will have learned and become the mom I know you deserve.
For now, I'm still learning how to be your mom, working to always deserve you as my daughter, and looking forward always to watching you grow. I will be patient with you, and I hope you can be patient with me, as we find our way together.
Alissa Hewison is a tattoo artist whose passions extend from writing and playing her piano, to time well spent on her motorcycle. Born and raised in Saskatchewan. To learn more about her click on the link provided: https://www.facebook.com/alissa.derdall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Subject: A Mother's Teachings
Release Date: May 14, 2023
Do you know what the letters in the word FAMILY mean?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU
Today, Sunday, May 14, 2023, is Mother's Day in many countries around the world, including my home country of Canada. Mother's Day is a celebration honouring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. I would like to wish each & every mother, regardless of whether you celebrate it today, a Happy Mother's Day. Thank you for carrying and caring for a life. Thank you for your existence. I hope that your life, not only on this day, but…