Mama

Me and my children from left: Emmy, Nelly and Luca. taken last summer - 2012.

We have that little innocent baby bundle in our arms staring at us with big eyes, crying for this, crying for that without being able to say a word. The baby grows and learn and we just wait for that first "Mama" to come out of their mouth. When it happens it is a milestone to celebrate with firework and orchestras, balloons and party hats. My child says "Mama", ain't that just fantastic?

Time passes by and a couple of years down the road you find yourself, at some point (quite often...), wishing that your precious baby never learned how to say "Mama". Because now, that is the only thing you hear. "Mama! Mama! Mama!". And it is driving you bonkers. I mean, real cou-cou bonkers! Seriously, I would like to just scream "Shut up!" sometimes.

My children are getting older, they are soon 12, 9 and 6. And the word "Mama" still seem to be their first word choice. Even when Papa himself is standing next to them. It is fascinating how the first thing they say when they step in through the door coming home from school is just "Mama!?", to assure me that "I am home now.".

It is fascinating that "Mama" is the first word they scream out in fear after a nightmare, that Mama is the one to turn to when having a bleeding knee, an itching mosquito bite, an argument with a sibling, a bumped head from running into a door handle which is located in the perfect height for a 6 year old head. (This happens often...). That they call for "Mama" when wanting a snack, searching for a lost Pet Shop, looking for a special shirt or need help with homework or to change batteries in a radio remote car.

The other day when taking a shower upstairs I hear one of my children call "Mama" in a distance. Everyone in my household knows that I am in the shower and still someone calls from the bottom floor with 2 closed doors between us. Like I would be downstairs in a second like a magic fairy, flying through doors and walls with magic dust around me, although reality is I got shampoo in my hair and am far from being present to my child.

It fascinates me that I, as a 31 year old grown up married woman, called out for "Mama" when giving birth to my first child, although I was on the other side of the world (Cairns, Australia).  But yeas, I cried desperately for "Mama" as the pain and fear of delivering a child got overwhelming. It fascinates me that me, The Mama, still calls out for my own Mama when in pain, may it be physical or in my heart and soul.

Mama. The one we turn to. In good and bad. The one who cares and nurtures, comforts and listens. The one who puts boundaries and teaches us about life and living. She is always there, ready to jump over stones and fallen trees, run through woods and swim through oceans for us when we call from a distance "Mama!".

I suddenly feel privileged to be a Mama and to still have my own Mama around. And even if I sometimes wish my children could stop saying "Mama" for the 147th time in a day, I secretly feel very proud and important, special and unique. I am indispensable. No one can ever take my place. Unconditionally through good and bad. I am Mama. Bring it on. Call out "Mama" from near and far, over and over again. This is after all the best thing that ever happened to me in life.

Kärlek
Annette