Mother’s day is now officially my favorite holiday. My kids have been so stinkin cute today. They’re cute everyday, but today I am really noticing it. I totally love being a mom. Today I was wondering what kinds of things the kids will remember about me after they’ve grown up. Some people remember their mom’s awesome cooking. (They won’t be remembering that.) Some people have really elegant mothers who, no matter what, always look pretty. (They won’t be remembering that, either.) I started wondering what kinds of things I do that will really leave a lasting impression. I’m not sure which things they are.

Then I got to thinking about what I remember most about my mom from when I was a kid. There are a few things that really stick out in my mind:

*My mom rocking my younger siblings in the rocking chair at night. She would always sing “Memories”.

*My mom packed our lunches everyday. My favorites were ham and cheese loaf (y’know, the bologna with bits of stuff in it) or olive loaf. There’s no way I’d eat that now.

*The one day my mom didn’t pack our lunches. Lunchtime came, and we were worried that we weren’t going to eat. My mom came into the cafeteria with Happy Meals for us. At that moment, she was the coolest mom in the world.

*Letting me run around in my Wonder Woman UnderRoos when I really felt the need.

*The afternoon we sat watching tv while she put “Bo Derek” braids in my hair. I think we watched three soaps that afternoon, and I didn’t take the braids out for over a week.

*The day she finally let me cut my hair, despite fierce opposition from others. In retrospect, it was a hideous hair cut. But at the time, it was so important to me.

*The way she would say “yes” to any question while she was sleeping. (Can I have a sleepover at Cheryl’s? Sure. Can we shave the cat? Sure.) This actually got me into trouble a lot of times. We were finally forbidden to ask her questions while she was napping.

*She always volunteered to come on field trips. She was the nice, fun mom.

Thanks, mom, for all you do. I love you.

The question still remains: what will my kids remember about me? I hope all of the good stuff remains in perfect clarity, while all of my mistakes grow a little dim. I think that’s what every mom wants.

1 Comment »

1. I LOVE YOU too, sweetie. Thanks for remembering only the good stuff (or at least only remembering the good stuff in print!)
   You’ve been my little angel since before you even got here and have given me a reason to live and keep trying harder to be a better person. For all the times I’ve not measured up as a mom, I hope you’ll use our times now as friends, sisters, and still mommy/daughter to help make up for some of it. You’re my treasure!
   Love
   MOM

   Comment by mom — May 14, 2007 @ 7:43 pm

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