Inthe still and quiet of the night, long after her children have slept in theirbeds, the mother gazes at them with a mother’s gaze.

Amother’s gaze is filled with awe. How could such beautiful creatures be hercreation? How could something so tiny be so perfect and so precious? She can’timagine a sight more peaceful than her children sleeping their innocent sleep,unaware of the world outside, tucked in the comfort of their own little world.

Ina mother’s gaze, there is pride. She, along with her children, has come so farin this journey of motherhood. They are all growing as they go along, learningsomething new in the process, and teaching her something new each and everyday. They are becoming independent one step at a time and she can’t wait to seewhat the next day brings.

Amother’s gaze is often anxious. Is she doing this correctly, the whole momthing? Will she be able to do all it takes? Will they learn and inculcate allshe intends to teach them? Will they be able to judge right from wrong when itis time to do so? Will they stand up for themselves and for others who mightneed them? What else can she do to make them the persons they ought to be? Whatcan she say to them to make them the best version of themselves?

Amother gazes with hope in her eyes. She hopes she can provide for everythingthey need without making them complacent. She hopes to make them realize thevalue of all the things that really matter; to make them capable of dreaming,and working hard to make those dreams come true.

Somenights, there may be regret in a mother’s gaze. She raised her voice when sheshould’ve lent her ears. As her little ones are navigating this big, new worldwith their tiny feet and even tinier steps, she should’ve been patient withtheir pace. She should’ve left the laundry when she was asked to play. Sheshould’ve heard all about their day without planning for the next day in herhead. She should have been present so they didn’t have to ask for her time.

Amother’s gaze is full of promise. A promise that this is a job she will neverquit. This job might bring with it hardships and several challenges, but therewards, such as these moments with her children, even though they are asleep,make it all worth it. She promises to stand by them at all times. She promisesto never break this promise.

Unconditional, unbound, and irrevocable love is contained in a mother’s gaze. Love so powerful, she didn’t know even existed before her children. The love that makes two hearts beat outside her body. The love that knows no boundaries, and one which can never diminish, change, or ever fall short. Though tired and exhausted, a mother gazes at her entire world, while the entire world sleeps.

This post was originally published in Her View From Home