Mothers’ Work

Find the robin’s egg where it should not be. Comfort the child who first discovers death. Say that he will live a long, long life. Run with the boy who scalded his arm. Plunge it into the cold, cold lake. Know when something’s not right. Stand your ground with men in white coats. Jump into any available kayak as the overturned raft disappears from view. Paddle hard. Warm his shivering body with yours. Learn the difference between a child who is sick and a sick child. Hold onto them. Let them go. Be fierce, be gentle, be a wall, be a pillow. Be smart. Be all these things. This is Mothers’ Work.

Photo by Ian Baldwin on Unsplash