There’s no greater happiness in life than being a mother, at least that’s what I’d always believed.
There’s no greater happiness in life than being a mother
And when I finally got pregnant, that belief became even stronger. My Ethan and I had agreed to start trying a year into our marriage.
We both waited for those two little lines on the test like kids waiting for Christmas.
When they finally appeared one quiet morning, I screamed so loud I woke Ethan by jumping on the bed, waving the test in front of his sleepy face.
We both waited for those two little lines on the test like kids waiting for Christmas
Motherhood felt like my purpose. I spent hours imagining what our baby would look like, how it would feel to hold them for the first time, what kind of parents we’d be.
One morning, when I was seven months along, I stepped out into the garden with a cup of herbal tea.
Then I heard laughter and a woman’s voice coming from the other side of the fence. My neighbor, Hannah, was chasing her four-year-old daughter across the yard.
Motherhood felt like my purpose
I admired Hannah. A single mother, working hard, always patient, always gentle with her little girl.
I couldn’t imagine how hard that must be, raising a child alone. My hand rested on my belly, a quiet thank-you in my heart for the husband who shared this journey with me.
I walked closer to the fence. “Good morning, Hannah!”
I couldn’t imagine how hard that must be, raising a child alone
“Hey! How are you feeling?”
“Big and slow,” I laughed. “How about you?”
“Honestly? Not great. I just got laid off. So now I’m trying to find something new before the rent’s due again.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m so sorry,” I said softly. “I’m sure you’ll find something soon.”
“Thanks. I’m trying to stay positive. Anyway, I should go, I promised to drop Lily off at my mom’s before lunch.”
“Good luck with everything,” I said, and she waved before running inside with her daughter.
“I’m trying to stay positive”
A few days later, I was coming back from a walk when I saw Hannah sitting on her front steps, her head in her hands. Lily played quietly beside her, drawing on the pavement with chalk.
I crossed the yard. “Hey, is everything alright?”
“I have a job interview tomorrow, but my mom’s sick, and I’ve got no one to watch Lily. I might have to cancel.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Cancel? No way,” I said. “I can watch her.”
Hannah blinked. “Oh, no, I couldn’t ask you that.”
“You’re not asking, I’m offering,” I said. “It’s no trouble at all. I love kids, and honestly, I could use the practice.”
“I can watch her”
Her shoulders relaxed. “You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. Go nail that interview.”
She smiled gratefully. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“You’re sure?”
I started walking back home, then turned around. “Hannah, can I ask you something?”
She shrugged. “Go ahead.”
“Lily’s dad… does he help out at all?”
Hannah let out a short laugh. “Help? He doesn’t even admit she’s his kid. Complete idiot.”
“Hannah, can I ask you something?”
“That’s awful. Why don’t you take him to court for child support?”
“I don’t want anything from him,” she said firmly. “We’re fine on our own.”
“But it’s his responsibility,” I said.
“I don’t want anything from him”
“He has a family now,” she answered quietly. “I just hope he’s changed.”
I frowned. “Men like that never change. I’d give him a piece of my mind if I could.”
Hannah chuckled. “You and me both. Anyway, I’d better start dinner. Thanks again for tomorrow.”
“Men like that never change”
“Of course,” I said, smiling, but as I walked home, her words stayed with me longer than I expected.