One thing I have truly come to appreciate in my life with the children is the friendship of other mommies. There’s a quality about these friendships that makes them unique. Even the nature of my relationships with friends I knew before we had children has evolved into something deeper.
Some might argue that we’re all connected by an earth-mother-goddess-thread that forms from motherhood. The profound satisfaction of having brought children into this world, one way or another, has created a spiritual sisterhood.
Hmmmm….perhaps. In truth, however, I think it’s something closer to the bonds that form between soldiers in wartime.
“Alright mommies – here’s how it stands. We got stinky diapers to the north, a tantrum coming in over the southern ridge and a 10-year-old who wants a bra holding strong on the eastern front. I’m not sure we’re gonna get outta this one. Let me just say this: it has been an honor serving with you all.”
Just when I think I’m going to lose my mind, mommies are there to reel me back in. When I think my family is off the chart, mommies are there to remind me that the charts don’t matter and there is no normal. When I feel misunderstood, they translate. These are the women I laugh with until I pee, which is not so hard to do since none of us have the bladder control we had before children. These are the women who I can talk with about most anything, from the serious to the silly. From “What does Fifth’s Disease look like?” to “Ooohhh – how many speeds does THAT one come in?” no topic is off limits.
If one of us becomes a prisoner of war, trapped in a cell block of littered toys, jelly smudges and math worksheets, we can rest easy know that someone will be there to rescue us.
And onward we charge together.
6 responses so far ↓
fritz // July 9, 2008 at 12:39 pm |
does it count as a “sisterhood” if you, in a way, inherited? maybe that is not the right term, but i have been in the “mom” capacity for almost a year now…does that count?? is there any initiation thing i have to go through?
betamom // July 9, 2008 at 12:50 pm |
absolutely fritz – I think you earn a special medal of honor for bravery in the face of step-parenting! You didn’t even have a chance to get a running start – you just parachuted down into the middle of it!
Denguy // July 9, 2008 at 3:08 pm |
I know what you mean (even though I’m not a woman). Okay, I understand what you mean–or, maybe, I have an idea of understanding the meaning of your post.
Susan // July 11, 2008 at 8:20 pm |
You absolutely said it, Beta Mom! And I loved this part:
“These are the women I laugh with until I pee, which is not so hard to do since none of us have the bladder control we had before children.”
Aw, man. That’s about the only time I wish I WAS a man.
Purva Brown // October 20, 2008 at 7:22 pm |
And thank heaven for those friendships! Today, I have come to appreciate funny moms online… you’re one of the first!
Come check out my blog sometime. I’m adding you to the blogroll.
foolery // January 9, 2009 at 8:43 pm |
Almost all of my “Girlfriends” friendships are with bloggers around the country, so while I don’t know if anyone ELSE laughs until they pee, I can promise you that at least ONE of us in the room has done so.
As I remember, I had you to blame more than once. : )