They are watching & learning

As small children little girls grow up watching their mommy's every move.  And while they are watching, they are taking note of every little detail of every little thing she does.  From the way she fixes her hair and the way she applies her makeup, to the kind of clothes she wears.  

You know what I'm talking about. I still remember watching my mom when I was a little girl many moons ago and even though the times have changed, little girls have not.  I would watch her neatly place the hot rollers in her hair the same way every morning and I still remember the light pink and grayish blue eye shadows that she carefully applied to her eyelids.  You'll have to remember, I grew up in the 80s and early 90s.  It was also custom to see her in pantyhose every day.  Whether it was going to church or to school, she always had them on.  

             She always made sure we were to school on time, which was instilled in us early on and something my brother and I can thank her for to this day.  After school, she made sure she got us to every extracurricular activity and sat patiently until it was over and we were ready to head home. Once home, she was in the kitchen cooking.  

We always had a meat, two sides that were usually some kind of homegrown vegetable and a type of bread.  I guess you would say I acquired my cooking skills from her, even though I refrain from cleaning up as I cook.  I can't seem to prepare a meal without the sides and bread and, of course, I cook like I'm serving four or more.  However, I do actually use my dishwasher since I was the dishwasher growing up.  We always watched Wheel of Fortune while we ate dinner, but we were all together, all four of us, sitting at the table enjoying family time. 

The times may have changed; I'm not a little girl anymore. However, I do know every little girl still sits quietly while watching her mom throughout the day.  You not only hear it in the way they talk, but you also see it in the way they walk.  To every little girl, their mom is their role model.  They want to grow up to be just like her.  

They want a husband who loves her just as much as her daddy loves her mommy.  They want to dress like her and act like her.  My mom's eye shadow colors have changed over the years just like her daily wearing of pantyhose, but she is still my mom.  The image of her and the things she use to do when I was little has been embedded with me throughout my life.  I'm not a mom yet; however, I do know the importance of what being a mom is.  I know that I want my actions to be those that are worthy of being mocked.

             Whether you are a mom celebrating Mother's Day or like me, a mother in training — remember that you may not see that little girl watching but know that she is very much paying attention to you.  

             Thank you mom for being a role model that I'm proud to have watched growing up. I hope that one day your motherly ways shine through me when I become a mom.

Happy Mother's Day.