Sunday, October 2, 2011

My Girls

She walked around with an animal cracker box (the kind with a shoe string handle) and called it her purse.

She would announce to any stranger walking by, "My daddy fawted!"

She was stubborn and refused to say "Sorry" when she was the one that smacked another kid because he just looked at her.

She wanted to change her name to Erica.

She turned a cartwheel on the balance be am when she was 4 just because she wanted to see if she could and she did.

She plastered herself with Vaseline and came out naked during a visit with a prospective daycare family.

She loved Elephant Show and would play the video over and over, singing every song.

She was afraid of the dark and would cry and say she was scared of the "big bad wolf".

She wrote like this: elppa (apple) or yppah (happy) and said that she like writing that way.

Those were some memories that I cherish of my daughters, as their mommy but now, I'm cherishing memories as their friend.

I think back to when they were growing up - how great they were even as kids. They never threw tantrums in the middle of store or screamed, "I hate you" or were selfish and disrespectful. Family traditions came easy because they appreciated things like movie night or family harvest celebrations where we hid candy all over the house. I cherished sitting with one of them between my legs as I combed their hair and made them look pretty or watched Annie or a Shirley Temple movie for the umpteenth time.

As teenagers, they chose friends that liked them for who they were. They weren't followers, they were leaders, making their own fashion statements and standing firmly for what was right. I would lay on their beds and talk about life, friends, boys, books and whatever was on their minds and I'm so glad I did.

I now see the fruits of those times we've spent together. This weekend, we spent time together (girls night) where we chilled in Portland, laughing and talking together. I pushed Jarebear Boo in a shopping cart (just like old times) and oohed and awwed over sights and sounds of Portland's Saturday market. I grinned from ear to ear riding the rail, waiting for it to pick up speed as if we were on a roller coaster ride.

Saying goodbye was hard but on the way home, I realized that this is the perfect gift God has given me...to not only be a mom but also their friend. I know there is more to come...more adventures, laughs and times shared together. So, if you are a parent of a teen and you wonder how you'll get past the hard parts...you will, one day at a time. One day, you'll wake up and discover that they are no longer cause for gray hair but passageways for joy, tremendous joy.

Ev'Yan and Jarani - thank YOU for being my very best friends. I love you forever and alway...for now. (As she used to say when she said, "I love you.")


17 comments:

Mari said...

I love this post! I can relate because I feel the same about my 2 daughters. I'm glad you had such a good time with them.

Lin said...

Awww. It's good to know that the good times continue after they leave your home. Sweet post, pally!

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Can totally relate......

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Soooooooooooo sweet a tribute from a loving mom!!!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Beautiful that you have such an amazing relationship with your girls....warms my heart.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I so agree. While wadin' through those tough teen years it's hard to see the beautiful humans they will eventually become.

Treasure that bond. There's just something very special about that mother~daughter relationship.

What a wonderful tribute to your girls!

God bless ya and enjoy the day sweeite!!!

Ina in Alaska said...

Good for your soul just to be with together your girls!

Liz Mays said...

I smiled the whole way through this post. I feel the same way about my daughter and that's exactly why I'll be moving to her town within the next few years. I need to be near her.

Connie said...

I also love the relationship I have with my daughter now that she is grown. It was so worth all the heartache and frustration to get to this place. God has been good.

Unknown said...

What a lovely post of love to your daughters. Its so true they can give us gray hair growing up but there comes a time when they become your very best friends..

Veronica Lee said...

Hey, how about those with no daughters, only sons!!!??

I pray that when these tough teen years are over, my boys will turn out to be fine young men.

Beautiful post,Simone!

Helene said...

This post has left me all teary-eyed. You've obviously been a wonderful influence on them during their most important years. It must be an incredible feeling to have that validation that you raised happy, secure and responsible children!!

Liz said...

I'm so glad that MY Mom was my friend as well. I lost her way too early but she was the one I'd talk to about boys, makeup, friends or whatever I needed to get off my chest. She was the one I cried to over "silly" stuff as well as "important" stuff. She's the one I think of so very often now and wonder what we could be doing together or what advice I could be asking for.

I just wanted to let you know Simone, speaking as the child in the relationship, that what you've been to and done with your daughters will last in their hearts forever!

Leslie Basil Payne said...

Today I spent the day helping my almost 80-year old mom with some things. We laugh, we talk, we cry. She's my precious friend. I'm 50 years old and I still remember when at the grocery store she would get me the animal crackers in the red box with the purse string. May your girls always be there for you, my friend!

Jill said...

So sweet and I'm getting teary eyed...I want mine to stay little forever...*sigh* Sounds like you are truly blessed! ;-) Have a great week!

Blessings,
Jill

Buckeroomama said...

They turned out the way they did because they had you for a mom, so kudos to you, too. :)

Annesphamily said...

I have three daughters and two sons! I can really relate to this! I love visiting you, You always make me smile or cry or both!

 

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