Mama Knows.

“She has a temp” Mama says 

“Oh what is it?” Daddy asks worriedly. 

“I didn’t take it, I can feel it” 

Mama knows.

She is confident, calm, reading the signs. 

Daddy settles. He feels her confidence. 

Mama Knows. 

She feels his relief and then fleetingly becomes worried herself, weighed by the responsibility of getting it right. 

Read the signs, she reminds herself. 

She calms. 

Mama Knows. 

Darkness starts to fall. The house prepares for sleep. 

It will be a long night. 

Mama Knows. 

Guarding, watching, feeding, comforting. 

The hours drag, moments of sleep taunt her

Only to be woken a fraction later

A stir, a cry, a movement 

She feels it all

Mama Knows. 

She glances up at Daddy, sleeping soundly nearby. 

For a moment wishing that was her

Then remembering she wouldn’t have it any other way

She was made for this.

Generations of Mamas- human and animal- walking through the night alongside her. 

Mama knows. 

Dawn breaks.

Light creeps through the blinds

Relief, she made it through. 

Did she think she wouldn’t? Where did that thought come from? 

Primitive, mammalian instincts. Fear the night. 

She glances again at Daddy sleeping soundly. 

Grateful for his presence. The certainty of his fierce protection that silently guided her through the long night. 

She glances at baby. Resting, breathing deeply. 

The fever has broken. 

She closes her eyes, prepared to fall deeply, restfully, finally. Safe now, to surrender deeply. 

Mama Knows. 

“Good Morning Mama” her son says 

She sheepishly opens one eye, feeling the weight of half sleep hitting her. 

“What are we doing today?” 

The day has begun. 

Mama knows. 

She knows what’s ahead, the needs, demands and wants of these little humans. 

She stands slowly afraid to use any unneeded energy. 

Tiredness hitting her like a truck. Doubt creeping in, can you actually survive with no sleep?” 

“You are amazing” Daddy says 

Playing his part perfectly. 

The role of secure protector. In awe of her gentle, nurturing strength. A role he knows he couldn’t as naturally play. 

And suddenly, confidence returns. 

Of course she can. 

Mama knows.