Because of my children I have been able to experience the joy of bearing a child. I have felt the pain of labor and the beauty that follows when your eyes see their beautiful little faces for the first time. I now know why they say, "when you have children, you wear your heart on your sleeve the rest of your life." I now know the true meaning of unconditional love and now understand how much love my mom has for me. I have felt my heart literally break to pieces because my child was hurt or sick, and know there is more to come. I now see the importance of a mother and father working together to raise children in a world of hurt, anger, violence, poverty and so on and respect my mother so much more because I don't know how she did it alone. With God, family, and friends I believe. I know the day to day joy of their simple little smiles and the genuine pure joy it brings to my heart and soul. I now know that for some reason when things seem not so great at the moment, when I see their innocent little faces it fills me with peace and makes everything okay. I've experienced that moment they say "mama" for their first time and it makes me realize that someone needs me. They need my love, they need my care, my hugs and kisses, my voice, and the assurance that I will always be here through whatever life throws our way. I have been able to experience the laughter of a child thru simple things and it helps remind me daily what is important in this life...the simple joys; my family, the gospel, God, friends, a roof over our heads, food on our table. I now know how a child can keep you grounded, because they are happy with just your love. I have now experienced the feeling of wanting more, not for myself this time, but for my children, because I want to be able to take care of them and give them what they need in this life. I now know selflessness, because now they are my life and now they come first before anything. But most of all, now I feel I have just a glimpse into God's love for me, and it makes me want to be a better person.