I might sound trivial, but the resemblance between life challenges and forest trails is striking. Unexpected downs, alarmingly steep ups, slippery slopes and branches, dry branches—danger for careless eyes, one cannot rest for a single moment. One had to manage balancing listening to birdsongs and staying on a narrow path, watching sunbeams through the dense canopy of pine and birch trees and considering the stability of rocks under a horse’s feet.

All and all consisted of contrasts that day: milky patches of snow, jade, dense forest, moon about the hills and mountains and fading sunset. How beautiful! Oh, where to find words to describe that reflection of moonlight in the river. Oh divine grace of God, of His artistic heart that created a little man, a little me, and placed in the centre of such days and places as we have witnessed today.

So, I became a mother. Yet, acquiring a new role does not automatically spare one from already existing duties. Considering the fact that maternity leave in Canada lasts for almost a year, I could abandon those existing duties in favour of the significant new one, and enjoy full submerge into motherhood.

When yesterday our baby boy turned four-month old, I thought I was deep enough in the knowledge of motherhood that I could discuss the topic with wisdom in my eyes and confidence in my voice. Although it would be of utmost ridiculous to be so arrogant in reality, the first few months indeed appeared to be a lifetime.