Playing Mommy

It's weird,
But sometimes I feel like I am just playing a game
The Mommy Game.

A little girl calls me Mommy.
She relies on me for food, shelter, and clothes.
For transportation, protection, and discipline.
And I provide them.
I don't know for how long.
I don't know when it will end.
I just play along.
Hold on.
Pray.
And enjoy every minute.
Yet try not to worry about how we will
I will
Deal
When it is over.

Tonight was surreal.
It was like a special, new board had been laid out in the Mommy Game.
We went to the Ice Cream Social at Miss M's school.
The school where I taught for 9 years.
The school I will always call home and count as my family.


I'm used to being behind the scenes.
Being the teacher.
The 5th grade teacher.
Representing the school.
Sitting or standing behind a table.
Helping.
Checking in with my kids and their families.
Volunteering for my 30 minutes and leaving.

Tonight I was the role of the mom...
Of a third grader.
I sent in a donation of chocolate syrup.
I stood outside in line waiting for the doors to open.
I walked through the line and was served,
(By my former co-workers and parents.)
I sat at the tables with the other moms, dads, grandparents, siblings.
I met my daughter's best friends
(There were a lot.)
I introduced myself to parents and mentioned that I've heard their child's name many time.
I stood in line for a temporary tattoo.
I stood in line for a glow stick. 
I stood outside watching my daughter run around and play on the playground.
I did the parent-talk chatter while my daughter played with her friends.
(Okay...most of them were former students and families of mine...but still.)
I strained my eyes trying to find my daughter in the darkness when it was time to go home.
I held my daughter's hand and left the evening.

It was good day in this Mommy game.
It was just surreal.
Surreal seems mode of reality lately.
A blessed surrealism that my dream of becoming a parent has happened.

I'm one blessed chicka.

Praise Reports:
--We are on schedule for Miss M's visit her with mom and siblings tomorrow morning!!!
--One of my dear friends is going to watch Miss M two Saturday mornings in September so I can complete my obligation to the district for some grading over two weekends.  Thank you, Sara!!!

Prayer Requests:
--Please pray that Miss M's visit with her mom and siblings going smoothly and is sustaining for them all.