Mom Connection

Recently I was asked to write an article for a church publication about my participation in their new mom's group. Quite honestly, no matter how delusional I am about being a writer, I think this is the first time someone has ASKED me to write something (aside from the many times I was 'asked'/told to write something by various teachers/professors throughout my scholastic history). The article was published in their monthly newsletter that goes out to the congregation, so it actually was distributed to a much wider audience than my little bloggity-blog gets :) Anyway, here's what I had to say:

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My 8 month old son, Garrison, and I attend no less than four mother and baby groups a week; a schedule established early on in our lives together as I quickly learned how important it was for both of us to get out of the house daily.

Each group we attend has its own identity. While one is specifically geared around the development of the child; others focus on nurturing the mother. But the Mom Connection at Newton Presbyterian is by far the most enriching for both Garrison and me. With the optional childcare, he is able to hang out and play independently from me and I am able to have some much needed, mommy-focused, Christ centered time.

The very first day we arrived at the Mom Connection the group was focusing on a service project for Daybreak Ministries; a non-profit counseling and pregnancy resource center in downtown Boston. I had heard of Daybreak before but I will admit my own personal and political beliefs had kept me from seeking out more information on the program. As I sat among the circle of women listening to the representatives of the group talk about their needs and the needs of their clients, and as we each filled tubs and baskets to their brims with baby supplies and clothing, I felt my heart and my mind transforming. I was a mother now; my whole world had changed.

Never again would I be able to sit idly by and not have compassion stir up in my heart when presented with statistical information about mothers and children in need; because the statistics now had a level of humanity to them that I couldn’t have understood before having my own child. On my own darkest days after the birth of my son, I was able to function because of the groups I had surrounded myself with and the support they were able to provide. The thought of mothering a child without access to such support weighed on my heart and I understood for the first time how very important it was to provide such resources to those who might not be able to access them as easily as me.

Garrison and I were immediately welcomed into the fold of strong, loving mothers who make up the Mom Connection at NPC; which is committed to two service projects a year in addition to being its own resource for mothers to gather in a Christ centered community of support. I believe such women, such mothers, will change the world for all of us. Won’t you come join us?

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So, dear readers...especially you mom's out there...what is something that changed for you once you had a child?