Musings Of A Young Mom

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The Story of a Mother | Stories

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:30:06 +0800

A mother sat there with her little child. She was so downcast, so afraid that it should die! It was so pale, the small eyes had closed themselves, and it drew its breath so softly, now and then, with a deep respiration, as if it sighed; and the mother looked still more sorrowfully on the little creature.

Then a knocking was heard at the door, and in came a poor old man wrapped up as in a large horse-cloth, for it warms one, and he needed it, as it was the cold winter season! Everything out-of doors was covered with ice and snow, and the wind blew so that it cut the face.

As the old man trembled with cold, and the little child slept a moment, the mother went and poured some ale into a pot and set it on the stove, that it might be warm for him; the old man sat and rocked the cradle, and the mother sat down on a chair close by him, and looked at her little sick child that drew its breath so deep, and raised its little hand.

“Do you not think that I shall save him?” said she. “Our Lord will not take him from me!”

And the old man—it was Death himself—he nodded so strangely, it could just as well signify yes as no. And the mother looked down in her lap, and the tears ran down over her cheeks; her head became so heavy—she had not closed her eyes for three days and nights; and now she slept, but only for a minute, when she started up and trembled with cold.

“What is that?” said she, and looked on all sides; but the old man was gone, and her little child was gone—he had taken it with him; and the old clock in the corner burred, and burred, the great leaden weight ran down to the floor, bump! and then the clock also stood still.

But the poor mother ran out of the house and cried aloud for her child.

Out there, in the midst of the snow, there sat a woman in long, black clothes; and she said, “Death has been in thy chamber, and I saw him hasten away with thy little child; he goes faster than the wind, and he never brings back what he takes!”

“Oh, only tell me which way he went!” said the mother. “Tell me the way, and I shall find him!”

“I know it!” said the woman in the black clothes. “But before I tell it, thou must first sing for me all the songs thou hast sung for thy child! I am fond of them. I have heard them before; I am Night; I saw thy tears whilst thou sang’st them!”

“I will sing them all, all!” said the mother. “But do not stop me now—I may overtake him—I may find my child!”

But Night stood still and mute. Then the mother wrung her hands, sang and wept, and there were many songs, but yet many more tears; and then Night said, “Go to the right, into the dark pine forest; thither I saw Death take his way with thy little child!”

The roads crossed each other in the depths of the forest, and she no longer knew whither she should go! then there stood a thorn-bush; there was neither leaf nor flower on it, it was also in the cold winter season, and ice-flakes hung on the branches.

“Hast thou not seen Death go past with my little child?” said the mother.

“Yes,” said the thorn-bush; “but I will not tell thee which way he took, unless thou wilt first warm me up at thy heart. I am freezing to death; I shall become a lump of ice!”

And she pressed the thorn-bush to her breast, so firmly, that it might be thoroughly warmed, and the thorns went right into her flesh, and her blood flowed in large drops, but the thornbush shot forth fresh green leaves, and there came flowers on it in the cold winter night, the heart of the afflicted mother was so warm; and the thorn-bush told her the way she should go.

She then came to a large lake, where there was neither ship nor boat. The lake was not frozen sufficiently to bear her; neither was it open, nor low enough that she could wade through it; and across it she must go if she would find her child! Then she lay down to drink up the lake, and that was an impossibility for a human being, but the afflicted mother thought that a miracle might happen nevertheless.

“Oh, what would I not give to come to my child!” said the weeping mother; and she wept still more, and her eyes sunk down in the depths of the waters, and became two precious pearls; but the water bore her up, as if she sat in a swing, and she flew in the rocking waves to the shore on the opposite side, where there stood a mile-broad, strange house, one knew not if it were a mountain with forests and caverns, or if it were built up; but the poor mother could not see it; she had wept her eyes out.

“Where shall I find Death, who took away my little child?” said she.

“He has not come here yet!” said the old grave woman, who was appointed to look after Death’s great greenhouse! “How have you been able to find the way hither? And who has helped you?”

“Our Lord has helped me,” said she. “He is merciful, and you will also be so! Where shall I find my little child?”

“Nay, I know not,” said the woman, “and you cannot see! Many flowers and trees have withered this night; Death will soon come and plant them over again! You certainly know that every person has his or her life’s tree or flower, just as everyone happens to be settled; they look like other plants, but they have pulsations of the heart. Children’s hearts can also beat; go after yours, perhaps you may know your child’s; but what will you give me if I tell you what you shall do more?”

“I have nothing to give,” said the afflicted mother, “but I will go to the world’s end for you!”

“Nay, I have nothing to do there!” said the woman. “But you can give me your long black hair; you know yourself that it is fine, and that I like! You shall have my white hair instead, and that’s always something!”

“Do you demand nothing else?” said she. “That I will gladly give you!” And she gave her her fine black hair, and got the old woman’s snow-white hair instead.

So they went into Death’s great greenhouse, where flowers and trees grew strangely into one another. There stood fine hyacinths under glass bells, and there stood strong-stemmed peonies; there grew water plants, some so fresh, others half sick, the water-snakes lay down on them, and black crabs pinched their stalks. There stood beautiful palm-trees, oaks, and plantains; there stood parsley and flowering thyme: every tree and every flower had its name; each of them was a human life, the human frame still lived—one in China, and another in Greenland—round about in the world. There were large trees in small pots, so that they stood so stunted in growth, and ready to burst the pots; in other places, there was a little dull flower in rich mould, with moss round about it, and it was so petted and nursed. But the distressed mother bent down over all the smallest plants, and heard within them how the human heart beat; and amongst millions she knew her child’s.

“There it is!” cried she, and stretched her hands out over a little blue crocus, that hung quite sickly on one side.

“Don’t touch the flower!” said the old woman. “But place yourself here, and when Death comes—I expect him every moment—do not let him pluck the flower up, but threaten him that you will do the same with the others. Then he will be afraid! He is responsible for them to our Lord, and no one dares to pluck them up before he gives leave.”

All at once an icy cold rushed through the great hall, and the blind mother could feel that it was Death that came. “How hast thou been able to find thy way hither?” he asked. “How couldst thou come quicker than I?” “I am a mother,” said she.

And Death stretched out his long hand towards the fine little flower, but she held her hands fast around his, so tight, and yet afraid that she should touch one of the leaves. Then Death blew on her hands, and she felt that it was colder than the cold wind, and her hands fell down powerless.

“Thou canst not do anything against me!” said Death.

“But our Lord can!” said she.

“I only do His bidding!” said Death. “I am His gardener, I take all His flowers and trees, and plant them out in the great garden of Paradise, in the unknown land; but how they grow there, and how it is there I dare not tell thee.”

“Give me back my child!” said the mother, and she wept and prayed. At once she seized hold of two beautiful flowers close by, with each hand, and cried out to Death, “I will tear all thy flowers off, for I am in despair.”

“Touch them not!” said Death. “Thou say’st that thou art so unhappy, and now thou wilt make another mother equally unhappy.”

“Another mother!” said the poor woman, and directly let go her hold of both the flowers.

“There, thou hast thine eyes,” said Death; “I fished them up from the lake, they shone so bright; I knew not they were thine. Take them again, they are now brighter than before; now look down into the deep well close by; I shall tell thee the names of the two flowers thou wouldst have torn up, and thou wilt see their whole future life—their whole human existence: and see what thou wast about to disturb and destroy.”

And she looked down into the well; and it was a happiness to see how the one became a blessing to the world, to see how much happiness and joy were felt everywhere. And she saw the other’s life, and it was sorrow and distress, horror, and wretchedness.

“Both of them are God’s will!” said Death.

“Which of them is Misfortune’s flower and which is that of Happiness?” asked she.

“That I will not tell thee,” said Death; “but this thou shalt know from me, that the one flower was thy own child! it was thy child’s fate thou saw’st—thy own child’s future life!”

Then the mother screamed with terror, “Which of them was my child? Tell it me! Save the innocent! Save my child from all that misery! Rather take it away! Take it into God’s kingdom! Forget my tears, forget my prayers, and all that I have done!”

“I do not understand thee!” said Death. “Wilt thou have thy child again, or shall I go with it there, where thou dost not know!”

Then the mother wrung her hands, fell on her knees, and prayed to our Lord: “Oh, hear me not when I pray against Thy will, which is the best! hear me not! hear me not!”

And she bowed her head down in her lap, and Death took her child and went with it into the unknown land.

(Source: http://www.theholidayspot.com/mothersday/stories/a_mother.htm)

Top 10 Tips For Expectant Mothers | Tips

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:30:06 +0800

Journal: Chart your pregnancy using a pregnancy journal.

Diet: When pregnant eat foods that are nutrient rich including items from all the food groups. Important nutrients include folic acid, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and Vitamin D.

Exercise: Work out during pregnancy to promote strength, muscle tone and endurance. Select your activity based on your fitness level prior to pregnancy. Low impact exercises are best, including walking, yoga and swimming. Avoid activities that include the risk of falling or injury.

Socialize: Make friends with other parents by joining support groups likewww.llli.org La Leche League – for breastfeeding mothers.

Sex: It is safe to have sex during a normal pregnancy throughout the entire 9 month term. The baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in the womb and by your abdomen. During pregnancy and after birth it is normal for sex drive to decrease.

Education: Enroll in a childbirth education class with your partner. This will build confidence in your body and will bring you and your partner closer together. Childbirth classes allow you to discuss your fears about labor and delivery with the instructor and other couples.

Work: Healthy women having a normal pregnancy in a safe environment may work up until the delivery date. Certain careers may require workplace modifications or accommodations for the safety of the unborn child such as careers that require heavy lifting, standing for long periods of time or irregular or excessive hours.

Travel: Traveling is generally safe during pregnancy with a few things to keep in mind including: buckling your seatbelt, keep your airbags turned on, remain seated, if possible, when traveling on buses, trains and airplanes, and use rest stops to walk and stretch to keep blood moving.

Sleep: Sleeping can be difficult during pregnancy. To increase your chances of a good night’s rest avoid the following: caffeinated beverages, eating or drinking large quantities within a few hours of bedtime, and rigorous exercise before bedtime.

Avoid: Pregnant women should avoid cleaning the kitty litter box, fish with high levels of mercury, chemicals, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and stressful situations.

(Source: http://www.parenting-journals.com/65/top-10-tips-for-expectant-mothers/)

What is a Mother? | Poems

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:30:06 +0800

What is a Mother?

A Mother has so many things to do,
From washing, ironing, cleaning to tying a shoe.
She scrubs, she mends, she cooks and sews,
She bathes the children and washes their clothes.
When they forget to wash their faces clean,
And their clothes are the muddiest you’ve ever seen,
Who repairs the clothes and scrubs them like new?
Of course, that is what a Mother will do.

Who becomes the doctor or the nurse when they are ill,
Applying a bandage or giving them a pill?
Who becomes a teacher when a child has homework?
She must never her duty shirk.
Who becomes a detective to find a toy or a book?
For missing things she must look and look?
Who becomes a listener to every heartache,
To every accomplishment that a child makes?
Who scolds their children when they are naughty,
Or remind them of God when they are to haughty?
Who tends her family with love and patience, too?
Of course that is what a Mother will do.

- Unknown

(Source: http://www.mothers.net/whatisamother.htm)

Thinking you might be pregnant? | Tips

Tue, 31 May 2011 13:30:06 +0800

by Melanie McLeod (a.k.a. Cindermella)

There are many different signs to tell you you may be pregnant. But a good home pregnancy test needs for you to miss a period to be reliable. Are you dying to know before hand? Too impatient to wait till your first period goes missing. Wondering if you have any symptoms of being pregnant? Well let me help you out here a minute. I have been successfully pregnant many times and have experienced just about everything.

My first hint has always been an acute sense of smell. You know… standing at the bank machine wondering if any of the people in line ever heard of soap is what I mean. When this happens I don’t need a pregnancy test to tell me I am pregnant.

Most other pregnancy symptoms are like impending period symptoms. That bloated crampy feeling is a biggy. It feels like you are so full of water you could explode. Lots of watery vaginal discharge, period cramps and swollen, tender, achy breasts are also symptoms common to both a period and pregnancy.

Morning sickness is another. Though this usually doesn’t fully affect you till 6 weeks into the pregnancy.Gingersnaps or lemon drops help quell the stomach demons. Morning sickness is anything from queasiness to out and out barfing. This symptom usually goes away by week 14 in case you’re wondering.

Pee much lately? this is another possible indicator. You know, 49 trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night to pee out a teaspoon worth of nothing. This is so annoying and revisits you at the end of pregnancy too when the uterus squashes the bladder.

The next two symptoms go hand in hand. Extreme exhaustion and what I call delirium. This symptom bombards you with the single desire to sleep. Even after a great night of rest you crave more. This in turn makes you feel like perhaps you’re losing your mind. I used to dream about being awake and woke up grouchy. My husband assured me that I snored the night away which made me feel like I was losing my mind.

The best symptom, although not always reliable, is a missed period. For myself I knew that a period more than 4 days late meant for certain I was pregnant. Especially if I was smelling people the way I was.

The rule though is if you’re still not bleeding by 22 days past ovulation you are more than likely pregnant.

Well good luck in the hurry up and wait game and have those home pregnancy tests ready. You will need two because you won’t believe the first. And be certain to use your first morning urine regardless of what the box says to get the best possible result. And no early testing. Your body only starts producing the hcg needed at around 7 days past ovulation so you’re setting yourself up for possible false disappointment if you test early.

(Source: http://mommytips.com/just-moms/pregnancy/thinking-you-might-be-pregnant)

The Little Traveler | Stories

Mon, 30 May 2011 13:31:06 +0800

Love is a bridge that links us heart to heart
Mother and child can never live apart.

Once upon a time there was a little boy who had a long journey to go. He had a very dear mother, and she did not want her little son to leave her; but she knew he must go, so she put her arms around him and said: “Now, don’t be afraid, for I shall be thinking of you, and God will take care of you.”

Then the little boy kissed her goodbye and ran away, singing a merry song. As long as he could see her he would turn and wave his hand to her; but by and by she was out of sight. Just then he came to a stream of water that ran across his path.

“How can I get over?” thought the little boy; but a white swan swam up to greet him, and said:

“There is always a way to get over the stream. Follow me! follow me!”

So the little boy followed the swan till he came to a row of great stepping stones, and he jumped from one to another, counting them as he went.

When he reached the seventh he was safe across, and he turned to thank the white swan. And when he had thanked her, he called:

“White swan, white swan, swimming so gay!
Carry a message for me today:
My love to my mother, wherever she be;
I know she is always thinking of me.”

Then the white swan swam back to carry the message, and the little boy ran on his way.

Oh! there were so many beautiful things to hear - the birds singing and the bees humming; and so many beautiful things to see - the flowers and butterflies and green grass! And after a while he came to a wood, where every tree wore a green dress; and through the wood, under the shade of the trees, flowed a babbling creek.

“I wonder how I can get over?” said the little boy; and the wise wind whispered:

“There is always a way to get over the stream. Follow me! follow me!”

Then he followed the sound of the wise wind’s voice, and the wind blew against a tall pine tree, and the pine tree fell across the creek, and lay there, a great round foot-log, where the little boy might step. He made his way over, and thanked the wise wind; and he asked:

“Wise wind, wise wind, blowing so gay!
Carry a message for me today:
My love to my mother, wherever she be;
I know she is always thinking of me.”

The wind blew back to carry the message, and the little boy made haste on his journey. His way lead through a meadow, where the clover grew and the white sheep and baby lambs were feeding together in the sunshine.

On one side of this meadow flowed a silver shining river, and the child wandered up and down the bank to find some way to cross, for he knew that he must go on.

As he walked there, a man called a carpenter found him, and said to him:

“There is always a way to get over the stream. Follow me! follow me!”

Then the little boy followed the carpenter, and the carpenter and his men built a bridge of iron and wood that reached across from bank to bank. And when the bridge was finished, the child ran over in safety; and after he had thanked the carpenter, he said:

“Carpenter, carpenter, on your way!
Carry a message for me today:
My love to my mother, wherever she be,
I know she is always thinking of me.”

The carpenter gladly consented; and after he had turned back to carry the message, the little boy followed the path, which led up hill over rocks and steep places, through brambles and briars, until his feet grew weary; and when he came down into the valley again, he saw a river that was very dark and very deep.

There was no white swan or wise wind to help him. No tree in the forest could bridge it over, and the carpenter and his men were far away.

“I must get over. There is a way,” said the little boy bravely; and, as he sat down to rest, he heard a murmuring sound. Looking down, he spied a tiny boat fastened to a willow tree.

“I am the boat with a helping oar,
To carry you over from shore to shore,”

repeated the boat; and when the little boy had unfastened it, he sprang in, and began to row himself over the dark water.

As he rowed, he saw a tiny bird flying above him. The bird needed no boat or bridge, for its wings were strong; and when the little boy saw it, he cried:

“Little bird, little bird, flying so gay!
Carry a message for me today:
My love to my mother, wherever she be;
I know she is always thinking of me.”

The little bird flew swiftly back to carry the message, and the boy rowed on till he reached the opposite shore. After he had thanked the boat with its helping oar, he tied it to a tree as he had found it, and then hastened away, singing his happy song again.

By and by he heard an answer to his song, and he knew that it was the great sea, calling “Come! Come! Come!” And when he reached the shore where the blue waves were dancing up to the yellow sands, he clapped his hands with delight; for there, rocking on the billows, was a beautiful ship with sails as white as a lady’s hands.

“I knew there would be a way!” said the little boy, as he sprang on deck and went sailing over the deep blue sea - sailing, sailing, sailing, day after day, night after night, over the beautiful sea.

At night the stars would look down, twinkling and blinking; and as the little boy watched them, he would say:

“Little stars, little stars, shining so bright!
Carry a message for me tonight:
My love to my mother, wherever she be;
I know she is always thinking of me.”

The little boy went on sailing, sailing, day and night, until he came to a land beyond the sea - a land so full of delight that the little boy felt that his journey was ended, until one day when a great storm came.

The wind blew, the thunder crashed, the lightning flashed, the rain came pouring down, and the little boy wanted to go home.

“I will find a way!” he cried at last; and, just as he spoke, the sun came bursting out, the storm clouds rolled away, and there in the sky was a rainbow bridge that seemed to touch both sky and earth.

Then the little boy’s heart leaped for joy, and he ran with feet as light as feathers up the shining bow; and when he reached the highest arch, he looked down on the other side and saw home and his mother at the rainbow’s end.

“Mother! Mother!” he called, as he ran down into her arms. “Mother, I’ve always been thinking of you, and God has taken care of me.”

(Source: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/mothers-day/short-stories/the-little-traveler.html)

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