Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The way Moms are supposed to dress...

[gasp] "Oh Mommy, I'm so happy you're wearing that dress! That's the way all Mommies should dress..."

So says my son Christopher every time he sees me in this dress.

It's a rather homely looking thing -- a cranberry colored nursing dress with tiny white polka dots. It's at least ten years old... probably more... and it was my first attempt at making something I could actually WEAR (other than the skirt my Mom and I made when I was in high school).

While comfortable, it's really not what one would call attractive. The pattern was made for women taller than me, so the waist hits me at just the wrong spot. Couple that with pockets that hit right at the hips, and you've got the makings of a big, cranberry-colored triangle. Ewwww.

So I wore this (normally) just for cleaning around the house, and when the time came that I actually spilled bleach on it (a tiny spot, actually), it was all the push that I needed to throw it in the trash.

Until Christopher saw it.

He gasped in horror (I kid you not) and started to cry. When I asked him what was wrong, he choked out, "But Mommy! That's your prettiest dress ever! It's the way all Mommies are supposed to dress!"

With that sort of reaction, what could I do but pull it out of the trash, wipe the coffee grounds off of it, put it in the wash, and promise him that I wouldn't throw it away?

Since that day (several years ago), I make it a point -- every now and then (when I know I won't be seeing anyone!) -- to put it on just for Christopher. Every time I do, he beams and tells me how beautiful I am.

I'm honored that this dress plays a part in some fundamental memory he has of me and what I do for them during the day. Cuddling together as we read a story... making bread in the kitchen while we talk... watching my skirt swish and twirl as I bustle around trying to clean up... or enfolding a little one in the skirt folds as I hug them and comfort them after their latest boo-boo...

Somehow those memories and this dress were linked together in his mind. 

So it is on days like today that I swallow my pride (and vanity), put on this dress, and go out to face the day and my family, knowing that this somehow brings them comfort and security.

'Cause that's the way a Mommy should dress.

[side note: When Kathryn came into the kitchen this morning, she looked at me, smiled her light-up-the-room smile, and said, "Ooh! You're wearing my favorite dress!" Somehow it's affected her, too....]

6 comments:

Reese said...

You are a human security blanket-with polka dots! How wonderful to do this for your boy. Yes, I am sure he will remember the dress. When he is older , maybe much older! he will realize that the warm fuzzy is not the dress but that the fact that his Mom saw HIM (amongst his many siblings) and met a special need, in a very special way. Way to go Mommy!
Reese

Eileen said...

I love, love, love this story!!! :)

Therese said...

this is beautiful Ouiz. I think we all need to see a photo of you in the dress.

Anonymous said...

What a great Mommy! YES! Show the dress! We are not here to laugh; but to applaud humility and the love of a good Mom.

BTW: I decided to overhaul my AA & MSB blogs - I've had some requests and I miss it! Husband & kids will just have to forage while I blog...
God Bless you, Ouiz!

Conservamom said...

What a great story!!! Thank you for sharing. You should definitely post a picture of the dress :O)

Ouiz said...

Alright now, you are asking me to cough up a HUGE dose of humility and post a picture of me in what can only be the world's ugliest dress! (on me)....

*grin*