February 8, 2012

That's What Moms are For

picture by Seriously Gina
I got a call from Savannah Friday afternoon.

S: Mom? I accidentally had an accident.

Me: Uhhhh.....  really?

S: Ya. I was trying to open my juice but somehow it broke and spilled all over me and now I'm soaked.

Me: Oh.



Ohhhhhhhhhhh..... gottcha.

After a few more minutes it was decided I would drop off some new clothes for her. I threw the other kids into the car, somewhat literally, and drove over to the school. Leaving the car right in front of the elementary's front doors, I ran in to hand Savannah her clothes.

I walked her to the bathroom and waited so I could take her wet clothes home with me but since I had left all the kids in the car, I felt she was moving along way to slow. I told her to open the stall and I went in and helped her change and tied her shoes in a hurry.

By the time we were done the bathroom had magically filled to overflowing, the only way a girl's bathroom can, with other little females who appeared to be about Savannah's age or a bit older.

As their eyes shifted from the two of us as we walked out of the stall together, to the pile of wet clothes in my arms, I could tell what they were thinking.

That she had had THAT kind of accident.

Savannah stood next to me, smiling up at my face, completely innocent as to how the other kids were interpreting the situation.

A weird sort of defensiveness rose up inside and I felt the need to set everything straight so she wouldn't get teased or made fun of, even though it was clear Savannah didn't know any of these kids.

So I stood in the middle of the twittering crowd of little girls and said loud enough for all to hear, "I'm sorry I didn't bring you a new juice box since you spilled your other one all over your clothes."

Savannah said it was okay and we started to leave. As I walked by a couple of the girls, one leaned over and whispered to the other, "So that's what happened!"

I felt relieved and I confess, a bit proud of myself that I had taken the extra moment to set the record straight even though it probably didn't matter. But I think we are allowed to be proud after a moment like that.

It's a mommy thing. I mean, come on, who else gets super excited and proud when their kids poops in the toilet for the first time? Geesh.

Savannah will probably never know how I had helped her, but that's what mommys are for.

Makes me wonder how many times my mom saved my bacon and I never knew it. Which only makes her that much more awesome. Especially since she didn't have a proud mom cheering her on in her corner of life's arena.

Her mom preferred the heavy hand and cruel tongue method. You would never know it, but she survived a lot. More than most people know.

And that's why she's so awesome. She decided she would never be like that.

And she wasn't.


Although, she does play a mean game of Angry Birds.

11 super cool people speak:

Megan Jones said...

Your mom is WONDERFUL! And I love how blue Savannah's eyes are! OMG! Wow, okay, I think I'm done being nerdy. But seriously, you have an awesome example of a mom, so it's no wonder you are a good mom yourself.

Momza said...

I appreciated this so much. I had the same kind of mother as your mom did-- which is why I tell my kids I was raised by wolves. It's kinda true.
I learned how to be a better mom from being around great women in the Church and that has made all the difference. You're a super sweet mom and your babies will grow up knowing that you always always love them.

Larsen said...

What a great post! LOVE IT!

Heather S said...

sweet post. now that i'm a mother, i realize what happens behind the scenes.

Susan Anderson said...

Artfully done, Mom.

=)

Meagan said...

What a great tribute to your mom. It made me think of my own mom who has overcome a rather tough childhood and gave me the mom that all children should have!

It was also a gentle reminder to be a sweeter, more patient mom.

Thanks for the post! :)

Charlotte said...

My dad broke the same cycle, and I am ever grateful for that. And I save my kids tushies all the time, they never realize it!

Neisha said...

you're an awesome mom! I know all about getting defensive for your kids

Lynette said...

Hi Serene,

I simply just LOVE your blog. You are a fantastic mom and it really shows in your everyday messages to us. So thank you for keeping us other moms sane. We all in this together LOL.

But I just have to say that Alayan is my abosolute favourite! She is just ridiculously cute! So keep up the fabulous job of keeping us mom's sane...

Warm regards
Your new fan Lynette (mom to 4 year old Kiana Leigh)

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

Lynette - Thank you so much for your sweet comment! Totally made my day! And yes, Alayna sure is something else. That girl is in a realm all her own. Gracious sakes. If I can survive her, I think I can handle anything. :D

And thank you all for your fabulous comments. I love reading them all!

Mama Smith said...

Thank you, Sweetheart...Each of you children...so ever THANKFUL...in SPITE of all my mistakes...YOU ALL CHOSE the HIGHER ROAD! I will be forever grateful! LOVE YOU dearly!

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