It was probably 10 years plus since "Sam" (name has been changed) was in our preschool class. Sam came from a lower income family. Which quite often reflects on cleanliness and appearance. And in this case it did. Sam's mother was a very large woman who dressed poorly, most likely due to low income and I suspect spousal abuse. I must interject she did divorce and left the area and I have often wondered how the little family has fared in life.
Mothers Day was fast approaching. We were busy doing plaster of paris hand prints, seed packet cards and program practice. Inside the Mothers Day card is a variety of questions we would pose to our 4 and 5 year old students. Questions about their mother. For example: How much does your mom weigh? So nice to know your child thinks you weigh 4 lbs. How tall is your mother? She is usually 'this tall' as they would show us with the their hands. What is your mother's favorite food? (Macaroni and Cheese quite often took the number one answer!) And, my mother is as pretty as... Most children would say a rose or a flower or a princess. But the day we 'interviewed' Sam we were in for a treat. A treat I will always remember. He was posed the question: "My mother is as pretty as.." Without a moments hesitation he replied: "A Barbie Doll." I had never heard a child give this answer before or since. It was wonderful!! Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and to this little one his mother was a #10. To the worlds standard she would have fared much lower, but to the one who matters most she scored high.
Happy Mothers Day to all you moms out there. You may not be a perfect mother, but to your little one you are! Have a great day!
