By Tabitha Bozeman
This week included National Punctuation Day, National Scarf Day and National Daughters Day. Three things I love, but especially that last one. Being the mom of daughters has been a journey of growth, patience and love. There is never a dull moment. When I think of my daughters, I can’t help but also think of them as sisters.
When I was a little girl, one of my favorite books was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I always tried to decide which sister I was most like, but now I empathize with Marmee, the girls’ mother. In the book, she is often called upon to settle debates, admonish the sisters to be kind to one another, remind them of their responsibilities and so on. Watching my girls being sisters is something that has brought me as much joy as it has stress, and I have loved it very much.
I like to remind my girls that they will have friends come and go, they will make new friends, catch up with old friends and they will have “sister friends”. But maybe most importantly, they will always have their sisters who remember who they were, and who watch them become who they will be. Sisters who encourage, support, irritate, enrage, love, comfort and continue on with them throughout their lives. As Alcott said: “I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.”
I hope my daughters will always be as close and closer, even, than they are now. I know that my sisters and I have been through a lot of life seasons together. Not always physically together, but always connected in one way or another. We have infuriated one another, loved and supported one another, defended one another and helped one another. We have sacrificed to show up for one another, we have misunderstood one another and we have forgiven one another over and over again. As a mom, I hope my daughters grow into this same future with their sisters, always there for each other, even if they are physically far away.
Yesterday, the girls and I made treats for a work gathering. We stood at the counter together, and they chattered on and on about their school days, shuffling one another around, sharing space and attention. It was a warm-hearted, low-key, afternoon activity that gave me a glimpse into their ever-evolving connection to one another. They were funny and competitive, loving and supportive, and it made me happy to see and hear. I think about their futures constantly, and about how I am glad to be the one rooted so they can grow. It makes me think of the Barbie movie, when Barbie’s creator says: “We mothers stand still so our daughters can see how far they have come.” That part always makes me tear up because I don’t want to think of them all grown up — not yet.
Tonight, I will get to hear all about this week, and we will snuggle up on the sofa and read together, and maybe watch a fun fall movie together. I hope they grow up to be the best of friends, forever, but for now, I am really enjoying them being my not-so-little anymore daughters.
Tabitha Bozeman is an instructor at Gadsden State Community College, Editor in Chief of Cardinal Arts Journal and a creative writer. Any opinions expressed are her own and do not reflect the opinions of any institution she is affiliated with.
