Dixiegirl's Weblog

This morning I got a hard dose of reality…I found out I was not cool! Seems that I have been misleading myself thinking that I was cool, at least in a retro 80s kind of way.  But I guess my kid differs in opinion.

 Surely you remember what it was like, walking 20 feet in front of or behind your parents at the mall.  Your futile attempt to blend in and pretend that you are not with those goofy looking people that are your PARENTS.  Trying to shop alone in Pac Sun or Hot Topic while your Mom is checking the sale rack.  Desperately trying to ignore the woman proclaiming loudly “ this would look soooooo cute on you”!  Did she really say “cute”!  Yeah, if you are like me, you remember, but now, sadly, you are on the other side of that…and you are definitely “not cool”.

I just wanted a hug goodbye.  My youngest left for a school trip to Boston today.  He will be gone 4 days.  Four days that I can’t remind him to brush his hair, brush his teeth, pick up his clothes, pull up his jeans,–wear clean undies, look before crossing the road, don’t talk to strangers— you know the drill– the usual things Moms have always told us to do.  I just wanted to give some last minute directions, the kid just wanted to escape, preferably without any of his buddies witnessing the scene.  Really, I do understand this, my parents were not cool when I was a kid either.

My oldest kid thought it was cool to have Mom around.  I went on the field trips, I was there for every game, concert, play, recital—you name it!  I cheered loudly and sometimes cried loudly—but most of the time my daughter thought it was cool to have Mom there.  Maybe boys are different, I don’t know, but I doubt the realization that I am “no longer cool” will change my behavior much. Although I guess I should have been, I was not prepared to be “uncool” so soon.

No matter how “uncool”, I will still nag my kids to do things they need to do—at least until they are married and someone else can take over the job.  I will still cheer them on loudly and yes, I will cry from time to time as I see them grow up and achieve new goals.  I will still see them off on trips, all the while praying for their safe return, and dreading the mess that will be their suitcase when they come back.  I will still take them shopping since I do experience sudden moments of “coolness” when I open up my wallet to pay for those ridiculously expensive purple shoes.  Maybe I will even try to refrain from telling everyone how cute this will look.

Bottom line, I will never stop being a mother and that is “totally cool” with me.  I hug my Mom every time I see her – this woman dealt with me and my antics for years, she deserves every medal there is!   I will take every hug I can get, it is a cherished perk of motherhood.

Now,  just in case your were wondering, the kid did hug me goodbye and then casually sauntered off to meet up with his buddies—and no I did not cry—at least not until I got back to the car—and yes I have been, am, and will be, praying during the entire trip because I know my kid!  Oh yeah and one more thing—Go hug your Mother!!