As mothers, we carry invisible emblems on our chests, each representing a unique experience. These symbols go unrecognized in formal ceremonies, yet we know they exist. Our mothers, sisters, and closest friends understand their significance too. Some women may wear just a few of these treasured emblems, while others are adorned with numerous ones, overlapping like a tapestry of their experiences, each one earned through perseverance and love.
Certain emblems are earned with the joy of seeing two pink lines on a pregnancy test—those lines longed for and fought over. Others are given during the difficult moments of pregnancy, when meals become a distant memory, and nausea takes hold, leaving us weeping over a bowl of cereal. Some are marked by the first sign of life within us, while others manifest with the expansion of our bodies, the stretching of skin, and the feeling of breathlessness as we carry new life.
The journey to motherhood can involve mountains of paperwork and endless hope, sometimes even requiring international travel. The moment we gaze into the eyes of that small being, we earn an emblem that signifies a connection deeper than our own existence. Some of these trophies are awarded during births that don’t go as planned, or after the painful reality of a surgical delivery, where our bodies are laid bare only to be stitched together again, forever changed.
Physical marks remain as reminders of this journey: glimmering lines across our bellies, the discomfort of new physical realities, and let’s not even start on the changes to our breasts. Other emblems are earned in the trenches of sleepless nights, surrounded by the soothing scent of our little ones and the bittersweet tears that may fall unexpectedly.
Years later, we might find ourselves on the couch, watching over a feverish child, propped up by pillows, feeling the warmth of their hand against our skin. In those dark hours, we silently receive another badge of honor. Each time we choose patience while explaining the importance of clothes or why a bite can hurt, we earn yet another emblem.
The panic that rushes through us when we can’t find them—only to discover they’re safe—earns us one of the most cherished badges. We collect them as we witness their first heartbreaks, failures, and moments of self-doubt. We earn them while performing daily chores: sweeping Cheerios, folding laundry, or simply surviving the monotony of routine.
We face the challenges of eye-rolling, whining, and the sassiness that comes with growing up. Some badges arrive during moments of worry when they don’t come home or when they push us away. Ultimately, we earn the emblem that shines brighter than the rest, the one that comes with wisdom, gray hairs, and a heart that feels a mix of pride and fatigue as we watch them venture out into the world, ready to earn their own badges.
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Summary
: Motherhood is a journey filled with invisible emblems earned through experiences of joy, pain, and unconditional love. Each badge tells a story of growth, sacrifice, and resilience as mothers navigate the ups and downs of raising their children. From the early days of pregnancy to the bittersweet moments of watching their children grow, these badges symbolize the profound bond between mother and child.