Friday, November 5, 2010

Mel or Mommy?

I was typing on the computer when Callie came up to me and asked, "what are you doing, Mel?" I don't think any other words have caught me by surprise then those. How common that question is, "what are you doing, Mel?" from my husband, friends, siblings, parents, but not my daughter. Why does it make a difference coming from my child? It's not like I go around saying, "what are you doing, daughter?" I'm Callie's mommy, I'm not her Mel, and I want to be called Mommy! I know she's just saying it because she's heard her daddy say it, and I knew it was bound to happen sometime (frankly, I'm surprised it hadn't happened earlier), but I was still blown away when she said it. With the exception of calling our parents by their first names when trying to get their attention in a crowded walmart, i think it's safe to say we grown adults still call them mom and dad. I can't think of many other primary titles besides grandma/pa that are used for a lifetime. I love being called mommy. It's a more loving title then my birth name. I often forget the joy of being called mommy in the mists of the dirty diapers/panties/faces/house/car...and hearing "mommy this, mommy that, mommy more, mommy help, mommy, mommy, mommy......!!!!" But today, Callie reminded me how being just Mel is not as great and important as being mommy.

2 comments:

Stefanie said...

i really like this post!

the parishioner who doesn't do anything said...

I really like it too, and you're right. There isn't anything close to being called mommy...other than Granny, of course!