Mothers and Daughters

Last Monday, while we were still in Northern Michigan, Kitty Cat and I went out to lunch with my mom.

Happily, my mom and I have a lot in common. Namely: values, energy level (lowish) and a love of Diet Coke. We both like to shop (especially together) and enjoy the same books.

We have tons to talk about. 

When the kids were babies, I called my mom everyday. Until I had children, I could never understand women who claimed to talk to their moms that often. Even though I have a lot of the same attitudes and tastes as my mom, I always wondered, What do you have to say?

The thing is, though, once you start making daily contact, your conversations become more intimate and focused on minutiae. Which, if you ask me, is a true indicator of closeness.

Lately, we've been talking a handful to times a week. That actually works well because the kids are a bit older and we're out and about more. I like it too, because when I call, my mom's voice is full of real enthusiasm to hear from me. Not that it wasn't before, but, you know, she did answer the phone to find me on the other end an awful lot.

We still chat about small things, but our conversations seem richer somehow, full of bigish announcements (Fruit Bat can write his name! My parents are going to Boston!) as well as idle babbling.

Anyway, we had a fun, girly lunch.

I love having a boy. Really, I do. I love the trucks and his funny, focused perspective. 

Having a child of the XX persuasion, though, is amazing. 

I imagine such phone calls, shopping excursions, book discussions and lunches with her and I whimper with joy. Of course, it may not happen. Her preferences could diverge from mine. She could decide I'm annoying and overbearing and only call once a month.

But a mom can dream.

Comments

[Teej]

What a sweet, sweet little girl. Darling photo!

[Missives From Suburbia]

Gorgeous photo! I hope you get the relationship with her that you dream of.

[AndreAnna]

This is why I'm so happy I have one of each. I can't wait for our girly lunches, but will love the dirt a grime of my son.

[Kara]

So we got to see pictures of both of your parents - what an attractive family you are....looks like you had a nice trip. And of course, that photo of Kitty is adorable.

[Katie in MA]

W.O.W.!!! So stunning! I keep imagining Kitty Cat to bust out singing..."The hills are alive...with the sound of muuuusic..."

:)

[Emily R]

It is lovely that you can relate to her as one mom to another.

[Nora]

Beautiful.

My son is young and despite his attachment to me I can see a definite father-son bond forming between him and my husband. If and when we decide to expand our family, I won't lie; I want a girl very badly, with whom to have the potential for something like that.

[Burgh Baby]

I'm very happy with the way things are now, but I know I will enjoy those days of lots of phone calls immensely.

Great post!

[Nichole]

As long as you're a great mom (which I'm sure you are) you should have no worries. You'll get those shopping excursions, girly lunches and phone calls all the time when she grows up.

Just you wait.

[Mrs. G.]

What a beautiful post. My girl is leaving in two weeks to go to school. Enjoy your sweet girl, savor her, because it's not a cliche-it goes so fast.

Your mom sounds like a peach. Great photos.

[Csquaredplus3]

You might need to spend more time in Michigan. The softness and depth is lovely.

[BOSSY]

Build it and they will come. Seriously.

[Cheri @ Blog This Mom!]

What a great post! I love having regular conversations with my grown-up daughters. Dream away because dreams come true!

[bananas]

Your mom is beautiful. I love this post... it's really true for me and my mom's relationship as well. I always say that having CJ did wonders for our relationship!

[Madame Queen]

I dream about the same thing. My mom and I are very close -- we have lunch together once a week -- and I hope that Punkin and I will have the same relationship.

It's been so neat to "meet" your family in these last few posts. Sort of feels like we're getting to know you even more!

[apathy lounge]

I don't have anything in common with my mom...not really...and now that I have sons I find that this sentiment is even more pronounced. My mom is a very nice person, but she's nothing like me...and it makes talking to her very difficult. You're incredibly lucky.

[Carrie]

I share the same sentiment -- and dream.

[Lulu]

Oh, how I long for the very things that you just described about your daughter. I have only one child--a 19-year old son--and he's not exactly into the whole shopping and having lunch thing. Imagine that! He lives with me, and I'm lucky if I can hog-tie him down for 5 minutes to have an actual conversation that does not involve the words "need money now. please." Oh the joys.

Because my mother lives in FLA and I live in GA, I talk to her on a daily basis as well. It's almost like she's here.

[Momo Fali]

Since my kids were born, I talk to my Mom every day. I used to talk to her once a month. Amazing how much respect you gain for your parents once you become one yourself.

[midwestmommy]

I love this and it is so true. I call my mom everyday now that I have kids too.

I LOVE that last picture. Awesome.

[Karen]

Sigh...I have one son, (36 years old). I get all the news of him and my grandchildren from conversations and emails from my daughter in law. My son almost never calls, but when he does, I know it is important.

I also have two daughters. The oldest one (34) calls me almost every day. She tells me all her secrets, all her dreams, all her sorrows, all her joys. I love talking to her. The younger one (33) almost never calls me. She says she is busy, and mostly I believe her because she has a 6 year old son, is a high school teacher, and is going to school for her masters degree. I wish she would call more often, but I know she won't.