There are always those pages in the biography of a famous woman that discuss the type of mother the woman was. A sentence might start out, "as a mother, so-and-so was unyielding in her judgements toward her children," or, "as a mother, so-and-so showed great patience in managing the rigors of her children's hectic lives as well as her own." I have envied the mothers in classics like Gone With the Wind and Little Women -- their calmness and strength throughout adversity -- and I have been thankful not to have been mothered by the likes of Judy Garland or Joan Crawford (such ego, such neurosis!).

I am the daughter of a mother who was thrilled by life but impatient with it, too. A mother who was deeply involved with her children and community and as a teacher, but who wanted more than just a little of life for herself. A mother who insisted that her family of seven could get their own dinner, if necessary, so that she could pursue her study of opera.

It's 2007, and chances are, you are expecting a baby. Perhaps it's your first, but maybe it's a second or third. What kind of a mother are you? Mothering is a great journey, but it is also what you make of it: You are the leader, the head decision maker, the CEO. For some, it can be a great burden, but for others, it is the best time of life. You DO need to care for yourself. My mother pursued her self-fulfillment while raising five children, and I think it's for this particular reason that she didn't go bonkers. You have to know who you are. There are some women who are fulfilled by having one or two children to care for. Their lives are busy enough indeed between all that children entail. But who among us doesn't wish for a little corner of the Earth for ourselves and ourselves alone? I don't think that's selfish, I think that's how it should be. We are all unique individuals with unique gifts, and using them provides the fulfillment needed to be happy.

If you are reading this magazine, it is because you have a deep interest in being the best possible mom you can be. You will need to center yourself each day of your life with children in order to sustain the energy they require. But you know, it's incredible to have the chance to just be here, let alone be given a baby or children to care for. Children looking to you for direction and wisdom about every little thing. What an honor.

With this issue, if you're expecting your first baby, congratulations! And get ready. You're in for the ride of your life. And if you already have children ... well, you know what I'm talking about.