May 13, 2012

A mom by any other name...


Nineteen years ago I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl.  
In the beginning as she was discovering how to navigate her tongue through her first sounds she would call me "ma" or "ma-ma".  That didn't last very long.  As soon as she could, those 2 little letters morphed into the full-blown word "Mommy".  

I have heard many variations of this name over the years.  From the sweet innocent whispers of "mommy" as we cuddled close at night to the cries of "MOMMMMMYYY" choked out with her tears when she was hurt or scared.  Let's not forget the sarcastic, roll her eyes "MUUuuuMM" when I'm apparently doing something totally wrong or embarrassing.  And even now when she thanks me in her text messages for something I've done (or given in to is probably more the case) I usually get a "thank you mommy".  Just the other day as she was leaving the house to go out with friends she was halfway out the door, came back over to me, kissed me on the cheek and said "I love you Mommy". I had to pick my jaw back up off the floor after that I was so shocked. We have always been very outwardly affectionate but even so she can still surprise me at times!

I am Mommy!  For the better part of 19 years that has been the most frequently used titled associated with me!  I LOVE being MOMMY!  Even if my first born is getting ready to leave the nest.

Almost two years ago now I gave birth to another beautiful, healthy baby girl.  
To her I am "MAMA".  At first I wasn't sure how I felt about this.  I mean after all before she blessed us with her wonderful spirit I had been Mommy for 17 years!  Even my husband, who always refers to me as "Mommy" with my older daughter now calls me "Mama".  I hear "Mama, where are you?" and "Help please Mama".  And just recently for the first time I heard "I wuv you Mama!". Sigh!!


I am Mama!  I LOVE being MAMA!


Even though I wasn't sure about the name change at first, I told myself "It's just a word, just a name".  But the more I've thought about it the more this feels right.  I was 19 years younger with my older daughter.  I raised her when I was in a completely different stage of my life.  A young 20-something single parent trying to find her way in the world.  Now with my wee girlie I bring a lot more life experience to the table.  I've navigated parenthood, the dating game, the business world. I've been successful in most things I've done and when I haven't I'm at least proud & satisfied that I've tried.


I am different.  My daughters are different.  It's completely okay that I have two different but very similar titles.  It doesn't matter the word; it is the feeling, the sentiment & the meaning behind it.  The protector.  The teacher. The storyteller. The healer.  The comforter. The cheerleader.


I am Mommy!  I am Mama!  And I love it!


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read to be read at yeahwrite.me

16 comments:

  1. I love Mama too! We are a two mom family so I am Mama and my wife is Mommy.

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  2. I was Momma to my first two but am now Mom most of the time to them..it's cooler. Littlest still calls me Mommy and I cling to that. Glad to see you on the hangout grid!

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    1. Funny, in the days that have followed since I wrote this, my little one seems to have picked up the words "mom" & "mommy"!

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  3. Hello Mama! You are so blessed! You have a lovely family...

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  4. I am mom to my own two, Vanessa to the bonus two. Either works, they are all mine in my hear.

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    1. So true...what is in your heart is what counts most!

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  5. You touched my heart with this one. And I KNOW what a big deal it was for that teenager to come back and give you that kiss. Tingly for you. ;) Ellen

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    1. Yes, it was a big deal. I find I crave that kind of unsolicited affection from her now. Even having it from my wee one just doesn't fill that void!!

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  6. I'm Mommy and Momma, and sometimes Mom, but I love them all!

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  7. Love your post…so sweet! I'm mommy at sweet times, mom the rest. My youngest calls me mama though. it's the weirdest thing when my 16-year-old son with text me "Thank you mommy" What? did you just call me mommy? Love it.

    By the way, your little one is adorable!!

    Carrie

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  8. My kids call my Mommy, Mama, Mom, Kristin. But Mama feels the most loving for some reason. Thanks for the post - it made me actually think about that!

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  9. What a cute picture! And I'm so happy to hear your 19 year old did that - gives me hope with my independence asserting tween right now!

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  10. Awww....cute picture! I like your blog! Thanks for sharing

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