GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's time for my "2 cents."
All this hype about the solar eclipse has me thinking about something even more limitless than our vast universe -- a mother's love.
When my oldest child turned two, and I was about to deliver his sister, I remember having a moment of panic to which other mothers can relate.
My son was my world. How would it be possible to replicate that same love with a second child? As soon as I met my daughter, all of those worries evaporated. It was like she was a missing puzzle piece and always part of our family.
God knew what to do, maternal instincts kicked in, and my heart expanded -- literally, it did.
The Mayo Clinic explains during pregnancy, a woman's heart pumps more blood per minute, increasing the heart rate and the overall blood volume by 30 to 50 percent. Recent research from Northwestern University found usually, the heart shrinks back to normal after pregnancy, but I can attest emotionally, it does not.
A mother's heart expands with each child, even though each newborn experiences that love a little differently. For example, my oldest got my undivided attention. My second got the more experienced mom and built-in best friend in her brother. My third, coming soon, will get an abundance of affection from both parents and two siblings to adore.
There is a profound line in the famous children's book Guess How Much I Love You. Little Nutbrown Hair tells his mom, "I love you right up the moon and back." But, the mom knows the moon isn't far enough to measure and reciprocate that feeling. Her heart knows no bounds -- just love.
Sincerely, your mom friend,
Meghann