What the Mother Needs

We all have needs. Different ones. As mothers, sweethearts, friends, and sisters we try to meet these needs.

Children Need
First and foremost they need love and gentle stroking to their self esteem. They need confidence and reassurance. They also need to eat often. They need somebody else to keep track of their shoes. They need to make noise and sit upside down on fancy furniture. They need attention - lots of it. They need to wiggle. They need their sleep. They need the gift of innocence. They need structure and safety.

Doctors Need
Appointments. Blood tests. CT scans. Biopsy reports. Bone aspirations & scans. They need treatment protocols. They need blood counts, blood pressure readings, and enough IV fluids. They need input/output logs. They need temperatures. They need medical histories. They need signed consent forms. They need you to call the clinic. They need you to pick up prescriptions. They need charts and follow-ups.

What the Mother Needs
I need my children to be taken care of - if not by me, by other loving hands. I need a good night's sleep. I need support and kindness. I need messages on the answering machine and in my e-mail box, even if I don't reply. I need to know what to expect. I need a really great massage. I need to reclaim our family routine. I need to go for a walk and clear my head. I have a whole list of needs that I haven't had the time to think about.

But one of the most pressing needs for me was getting a family photo with all of us in it, with hair on every head. I knew the perfect person for the job. My friend Sara received no notice and she was most accommodating. We scheduled the shoot for the following evening. They are perfect. Now I just need a few moments to get the prints ordered.




Photography by Sara Westbrook