Marcia Cross Cherishes the ‘Amazing Moments’ of Motherhood

Richard Beetham/Splash News Online

Welcoming fraternal twin daughters in 2007 after struggling with infertility, Marcia Cross found herself counting her many blessings each night as she lay down to sleep with her husband Tom Mahoney.

“I already knew that every day is a gift, a blessing,” she tells the October issue of WebMD magazine, adding that each passing day of her sweet life was considered “a very lucky day” in her book.

However, the couple’s continued luck came to a startling halt when Tom was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and life as they once knew it took a drastic turn down a path of uncertainty. “Before Tom’s diagnosis, I used to say to him every night, ‘We are so lucky. We have each other. We have our babies,’” she admits. “Because life can turn on a dime.”

Fortunately, amidst the dark spot in their lives, Marcia and Tom seek happiness in their 2 ½-year-old daughters Eden and Savannah. And while she loves motherhood, the intense feelings are not exactly the ones the Desperate Housewives star once envisioned. “As much as I wanted them, I guess I’m surprised at how fulfilling I find it,” she muses.

Case in point? The tender moments shared by the twins that pull at Marcia’s heartstrings. “There are these moments that are so sweet and profound,” she shares.

“Like, last night Savannah helped me put Eden to bed first, and she sang three or four songs to her sister, who was lying in her crib. You get these amazing moments all the time.”

Motherhood hasn’t been all highs; Like many working moms, Marcia struggles with guilt when she finds herself working 14-hour days on her hit show. “I know they don’t need me every single second of the day…but I also know how every phase is so fleeting. And I hate missing any of it!” she says. That said, her stretches spent working well into the night are often balanced with days of downtime, quality time reserved for her family.

She may have years to go before Eden and Savannah are ready to venture out on their own, but Marcia notes that, when that day comes, she will be ready to offer her support where needed. “Really love ‘em — then let ‘em go,” she coaches. “They’re going to be who they’re going to be. And that’s the beauty of parenthood.”

Source: WebMD Magazine; October issue

– Anya