A Mothering Daughter

Do you have one of these? Are you one? Or did you used to be one?

I’ll never forget this day back when I was a little girl. I was having a conversation with my mom and these words came out of her mouth

I would lose my life to protect you.

😳😧🤨 I thought to myself what in the world is she talking about. I would never let anything happen to my mother. I responded something along the lines of

You’re my mother. You’re older than me and not as strong so it’s my job to protect you.

She kindly and gently rebuked me and made me understand that she is the mother and it’s her job to protect me. She told me that no parent wants to outlive their children.

From that day I always had secret thoughts about how I wouldn’t let my mom save me. I would do everything in my power to make sure she lives on. I just couldn’t understand why she didn’t understand my position as her young daughter.

I mean, what child wants to lose their parent? 😥

Now, as a mother myself I can finally see her position. I would do anything, including giving my life, in order to protect my children.

There was also this thing I did growing up when it came to my mother. I would disapprove of her outfits if I felt they showed too much skin. I’d say

Mom don’t you think that’s showing a bit much?

It seems I kept an eye on her and watched what she did and wore and always voiced my opinion. She never made statements like “who’s the mother here?” Instead she’d just shake her head and chuckle and continue on as she was. There were times when she did ask my opinion and took my advice.

I was such a motherly child. I felt it was my job to look after my mom and make sure she was always good, well and taken care of. I took these duties seriously 😌.

I even made sure she took breaks and rested from her responsibilities. She was always up and doing something, she took good care of her family and home.

Fast forward to my motherhood life. I now have my own motherly daughter. Every time she does something to take care of me a picture flashes of how I was with my mother.

My five year old girl watches my every move. She even knows when I’m wearing a new outfit. She’ll say

😲 Where did this come from? You look beautiful momma!

She watches me as I’m in the bathroom putting on makeup and asks a thousand questions. All to end with

I can’t wait till I’m a woman to wear some.

If she sees my clothing out of place she goes out of her way to come to me to straighten my shirt or pull down the areas that may be revealing my back or stomach. She’ll dust off any lent from my clothing and put a piece of hair back in place on my head if she feels it would look better 🤭.

My little mothering child.

When I’m tired and just flat out exhausted she’ll do extra things to help me out. She’ll make comments like

Oh Mama, I feel so sad for you that you’re tired.

She spoils me and takes such good care of me. She’s always concerned for my safety and wants to be sure I return home.

When I cry she cries. When I’m sad she’s not happy about it. She is to me what I was to my mom. I felt it was my job to take care of her in any way I could. My daughter is the very same.

I am truly blessed to have her. Sometimes she makes me feel as if I am the only one in her world. I can see a glimpse of what type of mother she will be through the way she mothers me.

Just as my mother did for me I will have to guide her on some things and help her to understand that I am the mother and there are some things I have to decline from her.

But all and all I won’t discourage her from being caring and thoughtful…she has beautiful qualities that I want to help nurture.

Never take for granted the blessings you have in your life. Even the little ones 💝 ~

Thanks for Reading!