When I die, how will my children remember me?
What if I die tomorrow?
CJ is only 9 months old! Will he remember how we play peek-a-boo with his blanket before going to sleep? Will he remember the hundred kisses I give him everyday? How about the times he would look to me every time he would face plant on the floor because he’s learning how to crawl?
Berrybites is almost 3 years old. Will she remember how she would wait for the moment I put the baby down so she could ask me to pick her up and hold her? Will she remember the hundred times I fixed her hair after she messes them up from endlessly twirling them into knots? How about the times she would fake cry just so I would go to her side and rescue her?
Cupcake is 7 years old. Will she remember how I always I ask her to “bring me the diaper basket” because she is my only helper at home (during the day, when daddy is at work)? Will she remember the hundreds of miles I’ve driven to take her here, there, and everywhere? How about all the times I’ve danced with her in the living room just for fun?
What will they remember about me? About us?
If I could choose 10 things I want my kids to remember about me, I would choose these:
1. I love pancakes. I make them so often that I think I’ve pretty much perfected them. I use milk (never water – because I’m sneaky like that) and add vanilla or cinnamon to the mix. And when I serve them to you, I use (kitchen) scissors to cut them up for you so you wouldn’t need to work hard at using a knife to cut them before eating.
2. I love to hear you laugh. No music or sound is more beautiful to my ears than your laughter.
3. I (secretly) like it when you cry because I think you look so cute. Plus, I love it when I get to comfort you and cause everything to be alright.
4. I let you watch “Curious George” in the mornings because I like that cute little monkey too. I’ve learned a lot from that show!
5. I take a million pictures of you because you are growing up too fast. I need to remember you just the way you are. Right now.
6. I love chocolate. Sometimes, I let you eat some just so I could eat some too.
7. I love and respect your father. That’s why I say things like, “ask your dad” or “Let me ask your dad.” It’s not because he’s the boss of me. It’s because we are both your parents. We make decisions together.
8. I sing in the car because it makes you smile.
9. I make you take a nap everyday because you tire me out. I need daily physical, mental, and emotional breaks from you so I can have enough patience to last the rest of the day. Trust me. Your nap is for both of our good.
10. I love getting hugs and kisses from you. When you hug and kiss me, you make me melt, and you can pretty much have whatever you want at that moment. (I’m so glad you haven’t figured that out yet!)
And so, all the other hundred things I want them to remember, I can’t list here. But that’s what this blog is for. For someday, when I’m gone. Plus, I’ve started a private blog just for my children too. There, I write specific letters to my children…
so they will remember me…
so they will remember us…
and smile.
How about you? What do you want your kids to remember about you?
Twitter: southmainmuse
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That was beautiful. I hope my children remember me as fun. As always there for them. That I didn’t let them have and do everything they wanted because I loved them so much.
Jamie recently posted..Wielding a heavy hammer and nine other things I learned from Mom.
Thanks. I hope my children think I’m fun too. But I think I haven’t been fun lately. Adult responsibilities sometimes get in the way, you know? But I have to remember that they are only children for a while and we must take advantage of every moment! I think I’ll take them to park tomorrow….. Thanks!
This post was so, so sweet! I do hope they remember all those little (and big) things about us.
Ally recently posted..Monday Listicles – Pride
I sure hope they do too. And just in case they don’t…well, it’s why we blog, right?
Twitter: finallymom
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i LOVE this list.i like the spin on it. i always think of things i DON’T want her to remember, but never put much thought into what i do want her to remember… must do this.
happy mother’s day!
christina recently posted..Mother’s Day-isticle, the Listicle
Happy Mother’s Day to you too! I tried to resist the temptation to start any of the sentences with “I don’t…” I’m glad I succeeded. And good luck with your own list. It will be wonderful for your kids to find someday.
What a beautiful post!
Here’s my list:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2012/05/mothersdaughters-monday-listicles-51412.html
Colletta
Colletta recently posted..Menu Monday ~ 5/14/12
Thank you!
Twitter: notwifezilla
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Oh how perfect Janice! I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the list. That daddy comment is right on.
Jackie recently posted..Mother Knows Best
I’ve been trying to get my oldest daughter to understand that. Harder than it seems. ha!
I love this idea! I need to do a list like this for my boys sometime.
My youngest, who is almost 9 now, LOVED Curious George and I miss his preschool days when he and I used to watch him on PBS every single morning and read the books every single night. I love that little monkey!
Curious George is awesome. I wish he was real and lived in my neighborhood. I would totally let my kids go play with him everyday!
Beautiful. Such nice memories for them to read when they are older. I love a lot of the same things about being a mommy and having my kids. I hope, they too will remember some of these things.
Susi recently posted..Mother’s Day… a recap
Thanks. I need to remember to keep writing down things I want them to remember about me and us. I wish I remember things about my childhood. I don’t remember very much.
Twitter: utrend
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Aww.. you should print this and give them all a copy of it later!
Yoli recently posted..If Only I Could Erase….
Twitter: dkotucker
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Such a wonderful, feel good post! Thank you for sharing all your thoughts. Your children/family are very lucky indeed.
Diane recently posted..10 Things I Wish I Could Delete
Thank you. I just wonder if they actually do feel lucky….you know what I mean?
Twitter: rorybore
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I love every single one – but especially the chocolate and nap ones.
and look at gorgeous you! You have a fantastic smile. Love that pic.
RoryBore recently posted..Monday Listicles: 86 That, Will ya?
Thanks. Gorgeous might be too generous a word….but I’ll take it!
Love your #7 . So important and says so much about you as well. That is a beautiful photo of you! And I like the idea of a private blog!!
Stasha recently posted..Monday Listicles
Thanks. I hope it says something good about me!
So, have you thought about starting a private blog for Little J? In mine, I write letters to my children or to each individual kid. It’s nice because I don’t have to censor it and I can mention real names of people and places without having to worry about kidnappers. You know what I mean? 
Twitter: cynandco
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7. I love and respect your father. That’s why I say things like, “ask your dad” or “Let me ask your dad.” It’s not because he’s the boss of me. It’s because we are both your parents. We make decisions together.
Love this one, and that you not only mention that you love him, but that you respect him too. Such an important point to make.
Great list Janice! Hope you had a very Happy Mother’s Day and were showered with lots of love. They are definitely lucky to have you.
Cyn & Co. recently posted..Monday Listicles – 10 Things Motherhood Gave Me
Twitter: momma23monkeys
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wonderful list. I TOTALLY suck at making pancakes so it’s DH’s job. I am definitely going to start using scissors on the the next time he makes them for us.
Robbie recently posted..Ten Things about Motherhood
Twitter: Twinisms
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#7 is the best answer ever! It’s not because he’s the boss, it’s because I love and respect him. Awesomesauce.
Bridget recently posted..Post R & R Survival Kit
Thanks. If only I can get my oldest to understand this. Things would just go more smoothly around here.
Such a beautiful text! I hope you’ve had such a wonderful time at that special day! I know I am a little bit late but I just want to wish a very happy post-Mother’s Day to you and to all the moms worldwide!
Rita recently posted..Mein neues Liebling: Sophie!
Thank you. I’m pretty sure it was a mother’s day I won’t forget.
Such a sweet post! I just hope my boys will always know I love them more than anything in the world. Now that they are older I’m not kissing boo boos or cuddling with them much anymore. They’ve outgrown a constant need for my affection. Got to learn to make them feel special in other ways and hope they always know they are so special to me!
Jen {at} take2mommy recently posted..Mother’s Day is all about me. Mostly.
I didn’t think of that – that I might have to find different ways when they’ve grown… *sigh* more stuff to prepare for eh?
I’m crying reading this. It hits to close to home for me.
*HUGS* *HUGS* *HUGS*
Pure perfection and inspiration! Wow!
Christine@TheAums recently posted..Mother’s Day 2012: A Recap
Thank you. *blush*
Well as of now, I don’t have those ten things which my kids can remember me because they are still very young and can’t remember anything I am doing now for them..
Gisele recently posted..How To Stop Anxiety Attacks
Most of the things I do right now, they won’t remember. That’s why this list will be great for them when they are older.
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story to us.. I’ve started a private blog just for my children too.
Crystal recently posted..Public Relations Devon
Having a private is awesome isn’t it? It’s as if we get to have a different voice….just for our kids.