By Eve Bell

And today I begin again.

With a lesson from the one who taught me how to become.

A new lesson ahead from the greatest teacher I will ever have.

Thirteen years ago today, I became a mum.

To a boy with the biggest heart and the brightest soul.

It all began with lessons in sleep deprivation.

They lasted way too long…

Then it became lessons in dinosaurs, then animals.

We still have those today.

I’ve had lessons in leaning into fear and falling over laughing.

Seeing the simple pleasures everywhere you look. And laughing. So much laughing.

It’s mainly been love. Which was always going to be the way for my Valentine’s boy.

Love everyone and everything. Always. Without judgement.

Each stage of motherhood brings it joy and it’s fears.

Maybe none more fearful than the teenage years.

As I guide my child into adulthood.

I’ll try not to dwell on their childhood.

Because the times that lie ahead

Are not ones to dread…

I get to watch him flourish and fly

Whilst gaining a friend and an ally

Each era of motherhood brings a deeper connection

And a different kind of affection.

Thirteen years of feeling and receiving up to the top with love.

A moon, my boy.

A moon *

x

*I used to say love you to the moon and back when putting Seth to bed and one day when he could speak, he looked up at me in his cot and said ‘a moon, mama’. And it will forever be the best thing that anyone has ever said to me.