love, divided (like yeast)

I know it is a total cliche, but you get back what you give, and sometimes even more on top of that. It's kinda magic. The Beatles said, "The love you get is equal to the love you make" or something like that. Not necessarily advocating actually making love to random folks, but if you think of "make"ing as literally creating things for people, be it food, a place, the booze to have with the food at the place, or whatever...then there you have it.

As far as the sacrifice that goes along with either motherhood or fatherhood (or Motherhood, etc.), yes they can be a giant pain in the ass at times but it's pretty fun too. You definitely don't want to ever give to the point where you are giving up yourself, or pieces of yourself, for instance feeling like never having time to do whatever your passion is. But as long as you are not giving up yourself too much, all the other stuff isn't too important. I'm not saying to work one's fingers to the bones with never a thank you, but perhaps when you give up yourself a little bit you actually get bigger. Again, magic.