My greatest labor was bringing each of my boys into the world and working with them as a mother at home. What shared joy to participate in the creation of new life! What secret thrill to feel the first delicate flutterings inside my womb! What amazing privilege to bear a developing human for forty (plus) weeks, alive and kicking! What relief to finally have him delivered safely into the world!
To carry and birth a child is only the beginning of a mother’s labor of love. It will take everything she’s got, and demand much of what she doesn’t yet have, to nurture this needy little one, to protect the toddler, to train a child, to counsel that teenager and raise him/her to capable adulthood. Thankfully, a mother doesn’t labor alone but often the nesting and nurturing details naturally depend on her.
I’ve worked in hospital dietary service, taught kindergarten students and art classes, balanced farm accounts, fed & bedded livestock, drove tractor, mowed lawn, grown a garden, cooked meals and tutored adults in English. But I’m most gratified by the blessing of raising and home-educating our five sons. To serve my family has been, and still is (with the next generation) my high calling…and the hardest job I’ll ever love.
due on labor day
you were born ten days later
now your baby waits!
Frank invites us to write about “labor” for Labor Day and link to dVerse Poets pub. My husband and I await the birth of another grandchild this month as our middle son is expecting his third child…a daughter!
a poem in my pocket 
Sep 03, 2019 @ 19:06:59
congratulations [ refer to haiku ] 🙂
And I so agree with you. Looking at my sister and her daughter, I appreciate my mother’s hard work all the more.
Sep 04, 2019 @ 09:22:37
Thank you for your comment!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 18:34:30
A mother’s work is never done, and your dedication to your children shows, Lynn.
Sep 03, 2019 @ 08:56:15
Thanks, Lisa 🙂
Sep 03, 2019 @ 10:19:38
You are welcome, Lynn.
Sep 02, 2019 @ 16:14:34
Home schooling 5 boys; an extraordinary feat! Strong heartfelt haibun. Thanks for a peek inside.
Sep 02, 2019 @ 18:01:02
Thanks, Glenn. The days were crazy and the years were good!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 15:02:42
Congratulations Lynn. Lovely haibun, as a farmer’s daughter I can well appreciate the handwork that mother’s put in to raise a family and work the land. They are no just ‘farmer’s wives’ they are farmers, plain and simple.
Sep 02, 2019 @ 18:02:38
Yes, Carol, I’m a farm-her ! Thanks 🙂
Sep 02, 2019 @ 14:46:57
So beautiful. My new grandson was born on Thursday. It a magical moment. Congratulations, Lynn.
Sep 02, 2019 @ 18:07:30
Oh, that’s wonderful news, Misky! Congrats to you too 🙂
Sep 02, 2019 @ 14:14:24
What a lovely approach to the prompt Lynn. Excellent haiku!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 18:07:58
Glad you liked it, Linda!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 14:12:13
Parenting is such a great labour of love. Good luck for the birth of your new grandchild!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 18:08:52
Yes, it is…and thanks for your good wishes, Sarah!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 14:11:04
Yours is the first response I’ve read, Lynn, and I can’t believe we’ve taken a similar approach and written about the labour of love! I agree about the first delicate flutterings being a secret thrill, the relief was overwhelming and, of course, as you say, that was only the beginning – and you’ve done it five times! Congratulations on your new grandchild!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 18:16:06
I look forward to reading yours, Kim! Mothers can empathize with and encourage each other. Thanks for your thoughtful comments here!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 14:03:25
I love the way the haiku ties into that next generation… such labor makes it all worth
Sep 02, 2019 @ 18:12:12
It’s a delight to bond with our children’s children!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 13:38:25
The joys of motherhood and being a grandparent. I have a grandson so I can relate. Congrats on the expanding family.
Sep 02, 2019 @ 13:55:05
I appreciate your comments, Grace…thank you!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 11:35:31
Hope you share this post with your family!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 11:13:52
A wonderful witness to the labor of love that is parenting–and mothering, in particular! Bravo!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 13:46:41
Thanks for the opportunity to share my voice, Frank!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 08:37:25
What a beautiful piece! Family is so important. Mothers are so under rated. Congratulations on your new grandbaby!
Sep 02, 2019 @ 13:45:11
Thank you, Dwight! I’m blessed.
Sep 02, 2019 @ 14:46:37
Yes!