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.
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.