M.O.M

My boys have taken to addressing me as M.O.M., spelling it out in place of saying the word.

“Hey M.O.M, can I have a go-gurt?”

or

“M.O.M, do you have any Stella Starfishes?”

“No, J.O.N.A.T.H.A.N.” I reply. “Go Fish!”

I actually kind of like them spelling it out. Those three little letters, M.O.M, have quiet a weight to them, no? I’ve been thinking about motherhood quite a lot these days, and not just because it was Mother’s Day.

I’ve been thinking about moms because my own is finally back in my everyday life and I’m loving it! I missed her, but I’ve realized just how much these last two weeks. My M.O.M, is a wonderful person. People always tell me how lucky I am to have her as my mother, and I reply, “You don’t need to tell me that, I already know!”

I’ve been thinking about moms too, because of my sweet friend Alice who lost her life last week in the process of becoming a mother for the third time. I saw her beautiful baby girl today at the funeral, and she looks so much like Alice. Alice gave up many worldly accolades -and so much more- to be a M.O.M. She is a beautiful example to me.

I’ve been thinking about moms because I met baby Colette on Sunday; and she is beautiful and sweet and she has swept her mother completely off her feet. My cousin is totally smitten with her new little one and it’s a beautiful thing to see and to hear Emilie talk about it. Becoming a mother changes your whole world in everyway. Every single way.

I’ve also been thinking about my own life as a mother.

I love my kids. Love.my.kids.

My boys had Cub Scouts today. It was only their second time. They love it so much! They can hardly contain themselves when Monday rolls around. As I was helping them into their Scout shirts today, I could barely get the buttons in the right button holes because the boys were so bouncing and wiggling with anticipation. They recited their newly memorized Scout Oath to me (they’ve got it down pat, and they say it with incredible enthusiasm).

They were so happy…and that means…so was I.

When my kids are happy I’m happy, because that’s how things work when you’re a M.O.M.

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My daughter wrote me a letter for Mother’s day. It was beautifully written. I could tell she had put some serious thought into what she wrote. It made me very happy. She makes me very happy.

Her letter included a list. It goes like this….

You have been my mom for almost thirteen years…

For thirteen years you have helped me be a better person
For thirteen years you’ve cleaned my messes
For thirteen years you have helped me get over hard things
For thirteen years you have cared about my moral being
For thirteen years you have been there to cheer me up
For thirteen years you have dealt with my random complaints
For thirteen years you have tried your hardest to keep me away from the dangers in the world
For thirteen years you have fixed my messy hair
For thirteen years you have made me shower and brush my teeth
For thirteen years you have tried to keep my healthy
For thirteen years you have made me happy
For thirteen years you have wanted me to be safe
For thirteen years you have been my mom

Mary Kate…for thirteen years I’ve wanted to do those things for you every single day, because that’s what moms do.

I’m so glad I’m a M.O.M.