They Call Me Mom

If I had not seen a positive sign on that stick on Halloween day almost thirteen years ago and then another almost exactly four years later, I suppose I would not be known as Mom today.  


Where would I be? What would I be? 


I'm not sure.  I assume I would have eventually left my office job I loathed and maybe gone back to school to do something I was really passionate about.  Maybe.


Or maybe I'd still be stuck in an office from 9 to 5 every Monday through Friday, living for the weekends and my two or three weeks of vacation time each year.   


My house would definitely be cleaner because there wouldn't be two little people constantly fighting against my medial housekeeping efforts.  And the laundry? It would take up about a third of the time that it does now!


I wouldn't have to worry about things like college funds, reading goals, fundraisers, test scores, field trips and honor rolls.  I wouldn't be spending several nights a week at ball practices and games and stressing out over red mud and grass stains on those white balls pants I'm so fond of!  


I'm sure I wouldn't be driving a four door SUV.  I'd still be driving a fast, shiny sports car...maybe even a convertible with white leather seats!  Because there wouldn't be muddy cleats on the floorboard and grubby hands eating McNuggets and dropping french fries and gummy worms all down in the seats.  


I could take off to the beach for a long weekend on a moment's notice or go out to dinner or a concert on a weeknight without having to worry about things like babysitters, homework, bath and bed times.  


There would be lots of peace and quiet time for me to do my nails, pluck my eyebrows, read my books, sip red wine and take long baths.


I wouldn't have to constantly play referee and disciplinarian and worry about someone breaking something or God forbid, getting sick or hurt.


The holidays could be spent away from home, maybe someplace exotic or tropical because I wouldn't have to spend weeks and piles of dough planning and making sure Santa delivered those wishes and filled those stockings.  


I would just be Diane... 


No Mommy, Mama, Mommm!  


My head wouldn't instinctively snap up and look around every time a child, any child, calls out one of those names.  Because I'd know they couldn't possibly be talking to me.  


I wouldn't have been at the elementary school for sixth grade graduation this morning, fighting back tears as I watched my (almost) twelve year old son and all those other boys and girls I've watched grow up over these past seven years walk across that stage in the front of the gym for the very last time to accept their certificates and then turn and sing a song of thanks to us....


Their parents.  


Thank God I was there. 


Thank God I had tears to fight back. 


And Thank God I'm a parent.


Because in spite of all the work, effort, time, money, headaches and responsibilities that come with the title, Mom is still the one I'd choose again and again and again...

         

Response to Writer's Workshop prompt... 3.) Describe what you think your life would be like if you had never had kids.