My phone list is full of bracket explanation contacts, bracket explanation contacts look like this, Lucy (Mathew’s Mum) and Susan (Lauren’s Mum). There is the occasional smattering of Dave – (Sarah’s Dad) but mostly it’s Mums. They’re women I’ve met through my children. People who I’ve sat at a swimming lesson or a school gate with and they’ve suggested a play date or car pooling for a school event and we’ve exchanged numbers.
Most of these women are parents of children my children go to school with. Which would make them fall in to the category of “Mums from School” or the much dreaded “School Mums”. Sounds sexy doesn’t it? School Mums. I can’t recall ever saying “When I grow up I want to be a School Mum”. I remember I wanted to be part of the Kiss Army and one of Charlie’s Angels but I never a School Mum.
Last week I received a message from Whitney – (Daisy’s Mum). We met about 18 months ago at the Fourth Little Travelers Nursery School. About once a week we’d meet by chance outside the classroom or in the playground and we’d have one of those conversations you have with someone you’re just getting to know. I remember asking Whitney what she did before moving to Doha “I’m a Lawyer” she said.
Whitney and I ran in to each other a few times last year, we were both sucked in volunteers for various things at the school, I’d usually be lost or late, Whitney would smile and tell me where the meeting was or giggle at my perpetual complaining of having to decorate the freaking classroom door. So last week, when she sent me a message asking for the 4th Travelers classroom number, because she had something to drop off, I presumed it was a party invitation.
It was so much better than a party invitation.
When I picked up Henry Hotdog from school his teacher was holding a large white envelope. “This is from Whitney – Daisy’s Mum” she said.
Attached to the envelope was a post-it note “I saw this on Facebook, I hope you don’t mind but I painted it”
Whitney is a Lawyer.
Whitney is a Painter.
Whitney is a Mother.
Whitney is a Wife.
Whitney is a sucker for volunteering at School.
Whitney gave me one of the most wonderful surprises I’ve ever received.
Whitney is so much more than a “School Mum”.
If only I could fit all of that in to my “contacts” in my phone.
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Love that – all my School Mum friends just come over and drink all of my wine 😉
Oh my goodness that’s so brilliant! What a lovely gift. Love Glowless (Tricky’s Mum)
Just beautiful ((brackets)) from me ((old mum of 2)) xx
It’s those unexpected gifts and gestures coming from the giver’s heart that are so meaningful. Better than anything bought in a hurry or out of guilt or “should” feelings. Very nice!
Fabulous! Not just the painting, which in itself is a marvelously kind gift to share. But also for pointing out that we are all so much more than our ‘brackets’. I treasure the fact that I am a wife and mother, but these are relationships – critically important relationships, mind you – and there are a good dozen other things that I am that may often be overlooked. We are ALL (men, women, children) more than the sum of our ‘brackets’! Oh now you’ve got me thinking…
Sensational!
(My phone contact list? Same.)
xx
That is so cool! What an awesome gift to receive!
Oh my! What sweet serendipity, Kirsty. She is a treasure. J x
Well that is gorgeous. How cool is she?! x
That is just awesome! Whitney rocks. What a beautiful picture!
What a multi-talented lady! And thoughtful, too…
When my boys were smaller, I did the bracket thing, too…and so did the kids, sort of. They couldn’t always remember my ‘real’ name, so I got used to responding to titles like, “Mrs. Cullen’s Mom.”
That is such an awesome present! What a talented friend you have. I bet it really made your day!!
That is one of the sweetest gifts a mum can receive-especially from another mum. I love your friend Whitney too.
Aww what a lovely special gift! Very lucky!
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