I would like to propose a new term: mothermorphosis. Humor me, I know I can get pretty corny pretty quickly, but still… For ten days we watched our caterpillars eating constantly and growing quickly, spinning silk, keeping busy. Then suddenly they were completely still, hidden within their chrysalides. For nine days we watched and saw nothing happening(in fact, I didn’t even take a single picture of this still stage). It appeared that they were completely stagnant, in fact we worried that the one who had fallen had in fact died, that life had ended. And yet what we couldn’t see was a miraculous transformation, as the caterpillars had metamorphosized (is that a word?) and emerged full of grace and knowledge at how to be this beautiful creature. Now think of mothers. I remember going for a walk with a friend when I was pregnant with my second and pushing my eldest in a stroller, and she asked me what I used to like to do before I was a Mom. I couldn’t answer her. But I went home bothered and made a huge list of who I used to be and what I used to do and called her to answer her question. As mothers, sometimes a lot of who we used to be gets lost or left behind, or we forget that it’s still there, just in a different form or use. At times we feel our lives are stagnant and that we have nothing to show for our days, weeks and months. But few, if anybody, see into our homes and our arms to see what we are really doing with this precious time. Watching Grandmas and empty-nesters, I have no doubt that I too will emerge from this full-time motherhood with extra vision, unaccounted for knowledge, and beautiful earned wings. Mothermorphosis isn’t easy, it is hormonal, and it takes a lot of work to take something so creepy-crawly and expect it to fly, but we as mothers can do it, and we will do it beautifully. It’s in our nature.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Mothermorphosis
I would like to propose a new term: mothermorphosis. Humor me, I know I can get pretty corny pretty quickly, but still… For ten days we watched our caterpillars eating constantly and growing quickly, spinning silk, keeping busy. Then suddenly they were completely still, hidden within their chrysalides. For nine days we watched and saw nothing happening(in fact, I didn’t even take a single picture of this still stage). It appeared that they were completely stagnant, in fact we worried that the one who had fallen had in fact died, that life had ended. And yet what we couldn’t see was a miraculous transformation, as the caterpillars had metamorphosized (is that a word?) and emerged full of grace and knowledge at how to be this beautiful creature. Now think of mothers. I remember going for a walk with a friend when I was pregnant with my second and pushing my eldest in a stroller, and she asked me what I used to like to do before I was a Mom. I couldn’t answer her. But I went home bothered and made a huge list of who I used to be and what I used to do and called her to answer her question. As mothers, sometimes a lot of who we used to be gets lost or left behind, or we forget that it’s still there, just in a different form or use. At times we feel our lives are stagnant and that we have nothing to show for our days, weeks and months. But few, if anybody, see into our homes and our arms to see what we are really doing with this precious time. Watching Grandmas and empty-nesters, I have no doubt that I too will emerge from this full-time motherhood with extra vision, unaccounted for knowledge, and beautiful earned wings. Mothermorphosis isn’t easy, it is hormonal, and it takes a lot of work to take something so creepy-crawly and expect it to fly, but we as mothers can do it, and we will do it beautifully. It’s in our nature.
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9 comments:
You are a beautiful writer. I love the term "mothermorphosis". Wish the process for "becoming" a mother was a little easier...but I am so grateful for those moments when I catch a little of the vision of what's happening. Thanks for sharing.
Loved this post! Guess what--we are raising a caterpillar here too! The kids are loving watching him eat right now. They found him in the backyard. I am so glad I mothermophosized as well! I believe that becoming a mother doesn't make you better than anyone else, but it makes you better than you were before. Your new word captures that transformation so well!
Thanks for this post--it is so hard to put into words the changes that take place as a mother. And it really takes opening our eyes and appreciating the little things every day to realize what a great privilege it is to be a mom. And to maintain sanity through the crazy days--I loved your PMS post. I wish it weren't so darn true, but you really hit the nail on the head!
Sharing the "birth" of a monarch butterfly with my third grade students was one of my precious teaching memories. Your comparison of the butterfly life cycle to the changes in mothers' lives is insightful. I love your new term... mothermorphosis.
My children loved doing this a couple of springs ago, and E just recently gave a starter kit to a friend for a birthday present. The entire process is so amazing and beautiful and strange, all in one.
Nice post! We seem to always have caterpillars in waiting around here. We've rarely gotten butterflies...the kids tend to pick the ones that change to moths. Either way, it's always cool!
I love that word "mothermorphosis."
Funny - I was just talking with my sister about Motherhood on Friday. She was having a rough day and feeling a little "lost" - wondering where the balance is between motherhood and some "me" time. I read your post and sent her the link.
This is what she said (and I agree) ... wow, that was really good. Exactly what I was talking about....especially that part of losing who I used to be. She sounds like a homeschooler with her cool activities. Some moms are so born that way to be involved with their kids. thanks for sending it to me.
So thanks for the insights!!
This post was beautifully written! I am definitely adding "mothermorphosis" to my collection of mom-related words, such as "momnesia". :-)
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