This week’s ThoroughlyModern Mammy is a letter.
ππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππ
πTo the Mammy I watched last week.π
Last week, I found myself staring at you.
I couldnβt take my eyes off you.
You were dealing with your little one at an event, in front of lots and lots of people. And I couldnβt stop watching you, because you were beautiful. As a lady AND as a Mammy.
You were everything that I know I need to try harder to be.
Your gorgeous little one was being a childβ¦ jumping, playing, running. It didnβt take a fizzle out of you.
And every time you caught your childβs attention, you did something that melted my heartβ¦
You smiled.
A smile so full of love and pride and genuine adoration that it lit up your face⦠and the face of your little one.
Why did it stop me in my tracks?
Because in your calm and smiling face, I saw what I know I should try harder to be.
I was sad. I knew as I watched you, that had that been me and Mini-Me, I would have been scolding and frowning, firing the βGet over ere nowβ looks and trying through gritted teeth to get her to stop, to sit down, to listen… I might have been smiling, but it would have been a βYes Iβm smiling, but inside I want to screamβ smile.
Was this what you had on your face?
Who knows? Thereβs a good chance that if I sent you this, youβd laugh it off and tell me you were ready to scream, but it doesnβt matter.
All that your little one saw that day, was the smiling face of a Mammy. From that smile, your child only read βI love youβ, βYouβre fineβ and βMammyβs hereβ.
That smile said so much more than that.
It said safety, kindness, patience, understanding and loveβ¦ a love that is unconditional and calm. A love that doesnβt care what other people in the room think. A love that radiated from your face, more beautifully than anything Iβve seen.
You were glowing.
And you inspired me.
In you, I saw what I could be if I just took a breath every so often and let my MiniβMe beβ¦well, let her be mini. Iβm tough on her. Of course I am. And I have to be. Thatβs parenting. Thatβs me. But sometimes, I need to try to be like you. You looked so much prettier smiling than you would have, had you been scolding.
Sometimes, we all just need to smile. To not give a crap how others see our children. To not give a crap how others see us as Mums.
It made my heart burst with love just watching you smile. I can only imagine the effect that beautiful smile would had on your little one.
What a lucky little one you have.
So I just wanted to say to you Mammy, you rock.
Youβre beautiful and youβre inspirational.
Keep smiling.
And thank you,
Love,
Another Mammy. xxxx