realmom




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" May 17, 2006 moderator @ write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. ------------------------------------------------------------ When do you become a mother? At the birth of your first child, or when a child worms his way into your heart? ------------------------------------------------------------ All new subscribers receive a free downloadable copy of the e-cookbook, "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." To subscribe send a blank e-mail to: subscribe-me @ write2theheart.com ------------------------------------------------------------- A Real Mom Gail Quistorff ------------------------------------------------------------ When I was a girl, my sister and I dreamed of the day we would meet our princes and get married. This of course was followed by holding our little babies in our arms and watching their soft lashes close in slumber. We dreamt of running hand-in-hand with our little ones through daisy-covered fields. Hearing their tiny sing-song voices call to us… Mommy. And then finally, in the evening, we would kneel together by a little bed and thank God for our beautiful day. Of course, reality set in and Cloud 9 sank back down to earth level. When I started thinking of being a mother, it was naturally of the tiny babies that have that distinct baby smell. When I met Brad, a man who was divorced and had a 2-year-old son who didn’t exactly have that baby smell anymore. The first few times I met Ridge, he didn't care for me much. In fact he didn’t care for me at all. Brad and I took him to the park in hopes that he would eventually warm up to me, but, only Dad could wipe his nose and give him a cracker, and only Dad could catch him at the bottom of the slide. All I got was a scowl. Oh yeah, I got to hold the soggy crackers and the dirty Kleenex's too. That wasn’t exactly how I had envisioned the day going. Slowly though, Ridge finally did warm up to me. Then came the day when I was asked to be a permanent mommy figure. I gladly stepped into the long awaited role of “Mother” all the time replaying images of Peter Pan’s Wendy singing “Your Mother and Mine” to the deprived Lost Boys. Both Brad and I came from blended families and had step- fathers who were great role models. I wanted Ridge to have that too. So when Brad and I married I ignored advice such as, "Don't let him call you Mom, it will just backfire" and "don't discipline him, you're not his real mom, let his Dad do that." What was it with the real mom thing anyway? What makes someone a Mom? A mom cleans up spills; I did that. A mom administers loving guidance; I did that. A mom kisses ouches and dries tears; I did that too. I felt the part of a Mom, so why wasn't I considered a real mom? I feel that a mom or even a parent is not so much a blood relation, but someone who takes the time and effort to love a child. If we were only parents by the genes we pass on, there would be thousands of adopted children with no one to call mom and dad. There are so many couples in the world that aren't able to have children; I don't think it is God's intent for them to never be parents to anyone. I feel that although I can never be Ridge's biological mom, I can be the best “second” mom he’ll ever have. Ridge and I finally did create that mother-son bond. I think I finally won him over with crayons. He loved to color and Dad just wasn't into it like I was. So we colored, and colored. Then we drew pictures together, pictures of dogs, horses, frogs, lizards, and anything else that crept into his little mind. Dawson was born shortly after Ridge turned five. And with as much seriousness as I could muster, I told Ridge that his baby brother really didn't like to be licked on the forehead. Still, his new brother brought on new questions. One day, with serious blue eyes, Ridge asked me, "You're my Mom too, right Mom? Even though I wasn't in your tummy?" Then he piped up to reassure me, "But now you're a real Mom." There was that real mom thing again. The summer after Dawson was born I spent countless hours teaching Ridge to ride a bike. I'd hold the bike steady while he cautiously inched his leg over the seat. His little feet scrambled to get a good spot on the pedals, and then he would yell O.K. as loud as he could. I ran the first few steps with him and then let go. His skinny legs pumped as hard as they could. He looked so funny with his elbows jutting out to the sides and his bike wobbling down the rocky driveway. He’d look back to see how far he’d come and then, CRASH!! Again and again we practiced. The look on his face when he showed Dad how far he could go was worth the miles we walked back and forth down the driveway. I was never so proud as when he told Dad that Mom had helped him. To me that was as real as it got. These days he comes home from school ready for a snack while complaining about having to do homework. He fights with his brother and sisters and I'm fortunate to catch a hug as he runs by. His, "I love you Mom," echoes behind him. My, “I love you too,” softly chases him down the hall. I have come to realize that love is what makes it real or not. No matter how many of my own children I have, I was a Mom to Ridge from the first soggy cracker to the last dirty Kleenex. And he will forever be my son. Gail Quistorff bandgq @ earthlink.net You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator @ write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Gail Quistorff is mother to four great kids. Along with owning and running a daycare from her home she enjoys reading, writing, and running the kids to different activities. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, kids and 2 dogs ---------------------------------------------------------------- Story Submissions -------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a heart-touching or inspiring story to share? Send it in the body of a plain email, no graphics or colorful backgrounds please. Write 'submission' in the subject line. Don't forget to write a brief bio to introduce yourself to our readers. You may include your family friendly websites, information on your books, newsletters, and upcoming projects. Email to: moderator @ write2theheart.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for our troops and their families: Alan Graham Julie Sagel Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ryan Larry Miele Daniel Amy John Joanne Gary Boardwine Hadassah Chanz Wackerly David Habighurst Tonia Melissa Bair Matthew Nutter Matt Hall Donald Wayne West Frank Schambach, Jr. Nick Nation Iain Kirkham Bo Lefeat Many of our troops are returning home, but remember, more are being sent overseas. Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops. 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