Yesterday, Isabelle came in and started chatting with me about this & that. Mostly about bugs and animals and toys and other important things. It was a conversation like most others, but there was one part I didn't want to forget:
Belle - "Mama, do you know what I want to be when I grow up?"
Me - "Last time you told me you wanted to be a teacher."
Belle - "No. I want to be a princess."
Me - "Being a princess would be pretty amazing."
Belle - "No, wait! I don't want to be a princess anymore. I want to be a mom."
Me - "You could be a princess and a mom."
Belle - "Actually I'd rather be a mom. Just like you."
How is a person not supposed to swoon in the face of such sweetness? It's darned near impossible!
She followed that up this morning in the car with this:
Belle - (sigh) "Mom, I wish I could be you."
Me - "Why honey?"
Belle - "I wish I could sing like you do. So softly and sweetly."
I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I got a bit choked up. So many times I see myself as a collection of mistakes and things I can't do, my flaws magnified all out of proportion. I never stopped to think about how my children see me. I live every day with all the ways that I think that I have failed them. They humble me with their sincere and honest love and the way they see so many ways that I succeed.
Someday, I hope they both will get the chance to see that being a parent is the best thing they could ever choose to be. The hours are long and at times it can be discouraging, but it's worth it. I know I wouldn't trade it for being a princess, either. :)