Annie to Ann: A Parent-Child Relationship Story

Five year Anne proclaimed, "Mommy, come see! I can peddle my bike all by myself!" Her mom replied, "In a minute, Annie, I'm mopping the floors right now." Annie proceeded to show her new skill to Mr. Anderson, the elderly man next door. "Great job, Annie!" he shouted and waved as she rode up and down the sidewalk between their two driveways.

Ten year old Annie asked, "Mom, will you help me practice setting up my tent for the Hummingbirds campout this weekend?" "Ann, I really need to finish this report for work. Please ask your dad." Annie and Dad practiced over and over until she got it just right. "A fine job, Ann. You're going to be the best camper there!" exclaimed Dad.

Fourteen year old Ann needed help finishing her sewing project that was due the next day. "Mo...," she started to say as she walked into the kitchen. "Oh, never mind, I see you're busy." Ann called her friend Suzy, who was happy to come over and help. Later that evening, Mom said to Ann as she passed by her bedroom, "Oh Ann, I see you finished your sewing project. Looks great." Ann though, "Thanks Mom, you didn't even take time to look at it, or notice that Suzy was here for 3 hours helping me."

The years had passed and Ann was now a wife and mother. Although she lived only two miles from her mom's house, she seldom visited anymore. Early one morning, her mom phoned. "Ann, I haven't seen you in ages. When are you going to come by for a chat? It's been so lonely here since Dad passed. I really need you now" Ann responded with disappointment in her voice, "I'm sorry Mom, but Alexa needs my help to get ready for her dance recital and Andrew has a baseball game this afternoon. But you're welcome to stop by or go to the game with us." Her mom sighed as she declined the offer. "Oh, that's ok. You never seem to have time for me anyway."

As Ann sadly hung up the phone, she recalled all the times throughout her life that she felt everything her mom did took precedence over her. She grew up and her mom never even noticed. Ann vowed that when she became a mother, nothing would ever be more important than her children's interests. Whether it be drawing their first smiley face or acting in their first play.

The laundry, mopping or dishes could wait another day. Those first time moments in her children's lives would never happen again. Ann had resolved not to miss a single moment. Oh, how Ann had wished her own mom would have felt the same.