Writing this.....: Children and Grand Children....

Ahhh kids, our future, our inheritance. I have had the pleasure and joy of giving birth to 4 wonderful kids. No one will ever be able to tell me again that a mother has no favourites. That first baby opens up a whole new world of possibilities, problems, joys, adventures, the list is endless, with that very first cry and because of this instantly becomes (or in my case became) my favourite.

My first child will always have a special, secret place in my heart. My oldest, now 25 years old, was my first joy. What delight there was to see his chubby face and rosebud mouth. How frightening he was too. How was I going to make it as a mother? Time and on the job training took care of that fear. When a new mother you have no time to fear, you have to get to work taking care of the new life entrusted to you. I loved waking in the morning to his happy little face. He was so quiet as a baby, but no child stays a baby and he brought me other joys and hurdles as he and I grew together.

My second, my daughter now 24, was a determined little soul from the get go. I knew when she was born that she would always be a fighter and a survivor. She brought me a joy so deep it has to this day to be equalled. The joy my daughter brought me was more subtle than that of my son. Her gift of joy was one more nurtured than inherited. We had to learn to explore our roles in the house and the world. While a baby, I learned I had to take the back seat to her when it came to her dad. She was the apple of her daddy's eye and my nemesis. I loved her so much but hated the relationship between her and her dad. Lucky for me she had a heart as big as the universe and was always reassuring me that she loved me as much as her dad. Amazing what our kids can teach us.

Megan and Sean

Twins, yep. My third and fourth babies were identical twin boys. What an absolute delight it was for me to find out that I was to have twins. All my life I wanted twins and now I was to be the lucky mom to have them. By the end of the first year with them however I was exhausted and feeling a little less lucky and a lot more burdened. If I hadn't loved them as much as I did I would not have been able to laugh at myself as much as I did. In order to raise twins you have to have a good sense of humour and be a little insane at the same time. I have always said the first six months were a whirlwind but after that it got a lot easier. For reasons I won't discuss here I have not seen my twins in some time, no fault of mine, but I know in my heart that one day we will again be together and when we are there will be an instant bond.

Eric

James

The things I learned as a mom enabled me to be better prepared to help my kids when they come to me for advice. I may not always have the answer they want to hear but I have an answer based on my experiences with them. I have three gorgeous grandchildren whom I desperately wish all the happiness and joy to. I know that my grandchildren Benjamin and Nicole will do well because they have a mom who is strong and will fight for them. My son's boy, Seth, too will be okay because he has a daddy who will go to the ends of the earth to make sure his little man has what he needs.

Ben