My son recently was the balloon care taker and let his sister's balloon go. Weeping, he squeaked out "I so sorry, Baby". Although she didn't mind, he looked into the sky until the balloon vanished.

This episode reminded me that surviving each day with clothes and food is the temporary part of motherhood. There's also an eternal, spiritual element that I must nurture as well. Influencing how they see man, themselves and their impact on those around them is the essence of motherhood. It's a responsibility much greater than developmental milestones, and one which carries eternal significance.