The wild is full of amazement, joys and fears. Watching the nature channel keeps you on the edge of your seat because you never know when the peaceful scene will quickly turn to a tragedy. One minute Bambi's grazing with his mother and the next thing we know- the music gets louder, birds start flying and we find ourselves answering kids' questions while trying to hold back our own choked up tears (or maybe I'm the only one who still cries through cartoons).
Yet, we can't stay away. There is something about nature that just calls to us. Perhaps it's my calling in my life; but I am drawn to the instincts and abilities that mothers of the wild possess. Most of them, excluding of course the ones that eat their young, spend their whole lives carrying their children- and when they're done with one set- they begin another.
Everyone knows that where there is a baby cub- a mama may not be too far behind. When an elephant is born- he becomes the responsibility of the whole herd; some mothers work together while others work alone but every one dedicates her life for that time to bringing up and teaching her offspring everything they need to know for survival.
The mother has a unique way with her children. She generally pushes them within minutes to hours of being born to get moving- even though she herself just suffered a great ordeal; she knows that his survival depends on it. Out of a hundred lambs, a mother can find her baby. Upon being born- one of the first things the mother does is smell her baby- through this, mother and baby can recognize each other. Birds use sounds- each mother has a unique call. Regardless of how we communicate; mothers begin nurturing their young while still in the womb.
A lioness is responsible for feeding the pack while nurturing the young. Mothers of the wild will not only feed and protect their young but will teach them what they need to know in case she can't always be around. Most of this is done out of instinct but does that mean the mother feels no pain, no loss no fear regarding life? The experienced mother knows she can't take care of her young without first taking care of herself but is that always an easy decision when provisions are scarce?
We are strong mothers and women but we are still females. We were born to nurture so is it any wonder that we have tender feelings? These emotions are what make us strong and bring us great joy but when pulled too tightly- they are also what brings us the most pain.
Just because you did not hear or see the tree fall doesn't mean it's still standing and just because you did not hear or see her cry doesn't mean the mother isn't having trouble standing either.
The captain of a ship must show confidence and leadership at all times in order to maintain the hearts of the crew. He must go forward with resolve and determination so that those following him will give it their all. Yet, this same captain prays every night for direction and every morning for strength.
We all have jobs to do and lives to live. We cannot neglect our own duties to fulfill someone else's but if we can acknowledge that though we are different, we are all mothers and women with a unique purpose; We are born to nurture our children, ourselves and each other.
Sometimes we set our minds on "pause and replay"; we watch the scenes we want to watch and stop them right as the music gets louder and birds start to fly. We assume that if we never look for the rest of the story it does not happen. Or, we might watch the unpleasant scenes but put the sound on mute. Ever wonder why lionesses live and hunt in packs? She needs help. Even the queen of them all joins in the ranks of child bearing, nurturing and caring for the welfare of all because she is susceptible to the same fate as the rest of them.
Just because she appears strong does not exclude her from weaknesses and just because she is always there for others doesn't make her immune from occasionally needing help herself.
We often get so busy working toward our own survival that we forget others might be injured and need our help. No one can be blamed; it's hard to hear a call for help over the sound of our own calls- we all need after all but we must take time out of every day to stop thinking about our own welfare- even if just for a minute to see if there someone who is in greater danger than we are at that moment. Moreover, if we truly need help- we must call out- louder and louder if need be until help arrives for it is difficult to hear the faint cries over the sounds of the jungle all around us. We cannot expect someone to carry us if we consistently insist we can manage but if her leg is clearly injured- perhaps she could, at the very least enjoy your company as she walks a little slower until she can heal.
Sometimes the most important cries are the ones we can't hear with our ears.
It is a true blessing to be a woman- to be given the divine qualities to care and to nurture. We are blessed to nurture and so we are expected to do so. It requires a unique balance as we juggle the needs of ourselves, the needs of those dependent on us and the needs of those just passing by. When we struggle with that balance we seem to be working on rewind, fast forward and pause all at the same time but when we can push play and see the big picture- we have the opportunity to become a part of a classic story with an ultimate happy ending.
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