You may house their bodies, but not their souls…

/ Jodi

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow…

-Kahlil Gibran

Next Sunday is Mother’s Day.
Last Saturday my youngest “child” got married.
My greatest honor in life has been being a mother.
But as this wise verse from Kahlil Gibran in The Prophet reminds me,
I may have housed their bodies, but I cannot house their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow.

I am so proud of the men my boys have become.
As I watched the youngest celebrate marriage, and the oldest toast his brother last weekend,
my heart swelled.
Somehow we managed to do a good job.
And I couldn’t have done it without my husband – their father – by my side.

As I look at this photo I took at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago of a Momma Duck (made of flowers by the way) and her little ducklings, I was once again reminded of the privilege I was bestowed in life to be a mother.  I am now also blessed with two beautiful “daughters”-in-law and the great privilege of being a “grand”mother.

I am so grateful.

Here’s to all the moms out there!
Cherish the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

51 thoughts on “You may house their bodies, but not their souls…”

  5. And again – you made me think! All I wish for my girls is to be happy – to be themselves and live the life they want. How to do that?! 🙂 I want their souls to be wild and free (and happy)!

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  21. We mean so much to them while they are young that it takes a lot to let them go, Jodi. 💗
    We planted the seeds, we nutured them and they taught us a lot along the way, too. 😊
    Congratulations to your youngest son and his wife. Best wishes on their happily ever after life.
    Your post was so warm and loving to include and remember the spouses who are welcome, beloved additions to the family! Happy Mother’s Day to you, early! 💐

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  23. Beautiful, Jodi, and so true! We raise our children, but they are their own persons in the end. And when we are lucky enough to be proud of the adults they turned out to be, then life is very good indeed!

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