Sweet Dreams Mommy

Pamela Chan, BCFamily.ca

Love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves it’s own mark.
To have been loved so deeply […] will give […] protection forever.
(Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, J. K. Rowling)

Every night my four year old daughter says “Goodnight Mummy. Sweet dreams. I love you!”  Sometimes she tells me before I have had a chance to tell her.  She usually shares her send-off to me after I have rolled her up in a fleece blanket, covered her in a quilt and shared the same sentiments with her.  Prayers and a Russian lullaby sung in English were finished earlier in her brother’s room, alongside her twin brother.   “Thank you my love.  Sweet dreams. I love you”, I reply.  As I walk down the hallway she often repeats herself again.  Those final moments before sleep are a time when my twin four year olds and I exchange lots of hugs, kisses and sweet sentiments.  They also have their own bedtime ritual with their father.  They have washed up and read three pages of their favourite chapter book, a story and poetry together with me or their father.  These exchanges are the final moments that set the mood before they fall asleep – before they end their day.

In the morning I am greeted with exclamations – “Mummy!” – hugs, and kisses.

In his short film about a day in the lives of mothers, film maker Matt Bieler captures similar moments.  In one scene a child compares a mother to angels.  The film is a sweet reminder of the care and consideration provided by mothers and mothering women such as devoted aunties or aunts by adoption.  Children also encounter other individuals such as teachers and caregivers who also show affection and take care.

There is so much on the news every night that is bleak and anything but uplifting. Sadly this can even include stories about children who are not receiving this level of care.  How gratifying it is to watch this short, emotionally intense film and reflect on everything that has and is going right in our own lives as mothers, offspring and as mothering women.  Men can also consider these women and, in a parallel way, think about their own contributions and the ways that they have benefited from others.

Sweet dreams and good morning!

What are you favourite moments from the time you spend with children?  What are your memories of the special moments that you spent with your own mother or other mothering women?  You can comment about this posting using the comment function below or on the BCFamily.ca Facebook page. Your contribution matters so don’t be shy!

Daily Dish Archives: Pamela Chan, BCfamily.ca

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