Following dreams

What a task: coming up with a name and blog address! I've stewed for months about what would truly sum up the part of me I want to develop, understand and illustrate through blogging.

I have done and been known for different things throughout my life. A musician, a mathematician (ha...better said, a math student), a mother, a linguist (okay, I'm obviously being generous in assigning myself such titles!) Different interests and hobbies have waxed and waned through my long and fruitful 25 years! But one thing will remain constant, even beyond the grave: I am a mother. I live, breathe and sleep motherhood. I see the world through a mother's eyes. Other things come and go, but being a mom is a calling. And that's fine with me. I love my husband and I love my kids. This is where I want to be. [Although if there were an option to eliminate diaper changing and potty training, I'd vote that out of this motherhood calling.]

The world doesn't understand motherhood, or families. I think I've only begun to brush the surface. But I've learned a ton by having the faith to accept the call, beginning with marriage and continuing with children, and ending in eternal glory.

I have a dream. It came to me after I read "My Antonia" by Willa Cather. I literally cried of happiness at the good feelings I felt after I read the chapter that describes Antonia's family--all 8 or so kids. That is the family I'm talking about. The family that, though big, and maybe poor in the world's eyes, is rich in love.

This is my dream: that somehow I can contribute to the literature that illuminates the God-given, inspired social unit: the family. The family with lots of children and lots of love. That's what I grew up in, and that's what I hope to be building now.

Here's to following dreams. May this blog be the start.