I derive a large part of my identity from being a mother of young children. I've lived so long in a child-proofed house that I regard electrical outlets without safety plugs as unattractive and slightly menacing. I've just recently graduated from the phase when I quantified a child's age in months, not years.
My kids -- like your kids -- are growing up. Three months ago, our youngest daughter turned two. She's full of talking, yet still short on having many clear words. She calls me Mama. My four-year-old calls me Mommy. My seven-year-old calls me Mom.
It normally sounds like Mom-Mom-Mom-Mom-Mom-Mom, hey Mom, can I tell you what? But that's beside the point.
Being Mom is different than being Mama. It's wonderful -- and it's a title that I'll proudly wear for all the years of my life. I just hope to never forget the sound of those little voices when they said their first Mama's.
As I was sorting through my daughters' closets last week, I realized that there's only once piece of clothing still in circulation that resembles anything baby-like. It's this dress, a dress that makes the tiny wearer look more like a doll than a real child.
My older two girls wore this dress, and now my youngest prances in it. I watch as its billowy fabric moves in synchronization as the wind blows through her never-yet-been-cut wild hair.
Oh, little ones. I'll always be your mom. And I'll always treasure these years of having been your mama.
![Pin It](http://assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png)
Ah, you caught me on this one. Dudette's been trying to call me mom for a while yet, but I just can't let go of mommy yet. I'll have the rest of my life to be mom, but this is for such a short, short time. Mom is only allowed when in the presence of older kids. I may be mommy, but I do want to be cool mommy. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the dress....and....and everything the photo represents. I miss two.