Why Every Mother Wears A Crown

I was checking out at Target today and glancing at magazine covers and I began thinking about Kate Middleton.

I mean, how could I not, right? She's on the cover of almost every news outlet and the world over celebrates every moment of her growing family - a future king and his little sister, a princess in pale pink Mary Janes.

I was imagining what it must be like - to dream of and decorate a nursery and playroom with no budget or limits. No old, builder-grade "just a shade off" carpet or creaky floorboards. To have the very best designers in the world at her disposal ready to create dreamlike, perfect spaces for her prince and princess.

I was imagining what it must be like - to have the world waiting with intense curiosity - eager to know every detail of her labors and who was there and who she called and told first and do they even use telephones for such a thing?

I was imagining what it must be like - to watch her husband, William. A future king himself who lost his mother so young and all of that pressure and all of those memories and expectations and comparisons hovering overhead as he raises his young children.

Their lives seem like a fairy tale. Truly. A real, life fairy tale unfolding right before our eyes and I, for one, just can't help but look and wonder and imagine what it must be like to live in that world.

And, yet - I already know.

Because not long ago, a most majestic title was first bestowed on me.

It is noble and honorable and the jewels on this crown are bought over time with self-sacrifice, patience, long nights, and tears. They are warrior jewels - representing many not-small victories over selfishness and pride. A dying to self. A pressing, ever eager sense of another's needs. In a thousand ways. In a thousand moments.

This crown? It's worn on the heart.

It's worn on every mother's heart.

But, the title?

I love the way it sounds.
I love how it feels.
I love what it means.

So, tonight - as I read the news again and see glimpses into the life of the world's favorite royals, I sit and wonder what life must be like for the future queen. I imagine her favorite title will be the one she's received twice now, in that sweet little boy holding her hand and his tiny sister gripping onto her shoulder.

The noble and honorable title she shares with so many others:

Mum.