I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘titles’ I’ve given myself in my life. It’s nearly impossible to avoid a ‘title’.
You start your life out as the ‘Oldest Child’ or ‘Middle Child’ or ‘The Baby.” You are a ‘good boy’ or ‘bad girl.’ When you enter school your title is a ‘grade’. As you progress through school you get ‘nicknames’ and ‘titles’. As you age, your job becomes your ‘title’.
These ‘titles’ have shaped me. These ‘titles’ have tied me down. These ‘titles’ can be taken away in a split second…and then what am I left with?
If I put a title on myself that would shine me in a good light, it would be ‘Mom’. That’s the title I wear with the most pride. That’s the one I am the most proud of.
I have lots of titles that I am proud of. ‘Daughter’, ‘Sister’, ‘Friend’, ‘Fiancee’.
When Nikki died and I got the email from Kami, I had to email her back to make sure I was clear. I asked her again, ‘Nikki? Sarah’s partner?’ and yes, it was Nikki.
My title of Mom can be taken away in a second. I know no matter what happens, i’ll always be a ‘Mom’, but the active part of that title can be taken away. That became VERY clear after hearing about Nikki.
I’ve been emailing with a few of us that had been touched by her life and we are all in the same mindset…we are keeping our kids closer and counting our blessings a couple more times a day.
I woke up this morning to one thought; What if I wake up this morning and my worst fear is realized? What if one of my ‘titles’ is ripped away from me? What if my mother dies? My sister dies? my children dies?
I was reading a new friend’s blog today and she was talking about ‘titles’ she had growing up. I thought about the titles I had myself. ‘lazy’, ‘brat’, ‘skinny’ ‘stupid’…
It took years to find out that those titles weren’t really me. Okay, I was lazy, but I wasn’t stupid. I tried my hardest to redefine who I was, but I think the person I really am isn’t something I can change. It’s something I can mold though…and that’s what I did…no, it’s what i’m doing.
If you had to pick a new title to add to the ones that you had, what would you pick?
You can’t take ‘Lotto Winner’, because I already called dibs on that one.
You get to pick a new title today. You get to hold it up for everyone to see. No one gets to take that title away and it will come to fruition if you just write it…what do you write?
56 responses to “”
I would take ( and I already have it) and I will gladly share it with anyone else who wants it….
Loved.
The way I see it is your “title” will never change no matter what happens. You will always be a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend :)If I could pick a new title it would be Grandmother – I know, I’m only 29 and my daughter is only 4, but I do want to become a Grandmother one day :)
Blanced.
The complete opposite of how I usually feel…
I would choose…
WINNER!
I don’t know what title I would want. But, as a child I had a few labels that have been hard to shed: Underacheiver, trouble maker, unladylike, clumsy, tomboy, etc.
Now I am a student, a mom, a sister, a daughter, a Christian, a wife. I am an artist and a photographer. I don’t really feel like one title really explains who I am.
Today I would go with Kind, Friend, Loved (since William is willing to share), Funny, etc. I would be happy with anything Good.
Future Pulitzer Prize Winning Author, wife, and mother- is that too ambitious?
Really just simply wife and mother would suffice and of course Published Author would be nice. I’m working on the author part of it. Things are getting close to being ready for submission. Hopefully I’ll achieve all of my titles someday.
For now I’m just student, soon-to-be graduate, aunt, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, friend, Christian, writer, mentor, tutor, and teacher.
Blessed–I too will share.
Unlike Lotto Winner
Is Ginormous Penis taken already?
I would like to be Wife. But I think there is quite a bit of time before that happens. But at least fro the first time in a long time, I have hope that it will happen.
I have one for you, Kristine, since you’re having troublesingling one out: Valued.
Kristine, you’re my fiancee, my best friend. But mostly, you’re valued. By me, and by everyone lucky enough to be let into your life. All for different reasons and to varied degrees, but definitely valued.
For me, ridiculously good-looking.
(If you say it like Derek Zoolander its much funnier)
I will keep the one I have, the one that brings me the most joy, comfort and pride.
Wife!
good enough
Awww…Shaun, you kill me!
I like ‘valued’.
I’ve been thinking and I like, ‘understood’ too.
I would like to be understood for what I say and who I am.
“Shaun’s sister-in-law”
I just hope some of that man rubs off on our family, he’s a keeper or just really good at sucking up.
I am going to say, “survivor.”
no dashababy…i think he’s really just a keeper
You should go put out right now.
That was the sweetest thing EVER.
This was a neat post. I often think about all the titles I wear, too. Same idea as the hats I wear, except I don’t like hats. When you think of every single title, it gets overwhelming. But it’s also amazing – Wow, I do all that?!
If I got to choose a new one it would be Author.
Can I just keep “mother?”
Tough one. Great post.
XOXO
Shaun is a keeper.
My new title would be “Happy”. It’s been a long time coming.
And Shaun you made me choke up…..
very sweet post and comments…titles are tough…you’ve got some great ones :)
big heavy
Hmm… I’ve been screwing up a lot lately and hurting people’s feelings without meaning to. I would like to add “kind” or “respectful” to my list…
Picking up today:
Master Juggler
Keeping:
Mom (I’m keeping that one forever!)
A Goal:
Bestest Friend
My title: “EXTRAORDINARY”
Wow, I’m not sure I can pick just one title to aspire to……
Based strictly on what I’m feeling at this moment, I’m going to go with: competant (And perhaps I should throw in “good speller”, that’s something to work towards! ;o)
My title: “Goal Weight Reacher.”
Forgiven.
Kristine, may I give Shaun a hug?
Seriously, Shaun is a Keeper and Worthy of the Great Kristine.
As far as “outside” titles, I would like Author, too.
For “inside” titles, maybe Steady-Faithed.
Or One Who Cares For Herself With The Same Love and Kindness As She Cares for Others.
I think Shaun just got a new Title “lucky”
As in after that comment he should be getting lucky..if you know what I am saying.
I think I’ll keep my two favorite titles, Mother and Wife. Though I also love being a daughter, a sister and a friend.
Your post was great. Life is far to short and far to precious. I didn’t know Nikki, but the reactions by those that did have made me keenly aware that she must have been an amazing person. Hold you blessings close to you each day.
I have a sign in my office that says “today could be your last one…make it count”. I try to do that everyday, I squeeze my daughter a little tighter when I drop her off, I take time to kiss my husband goodbye, even when he’s being a piss, and I talk to my parents and sister everyday….
Sorry for the long comment. Great post today!
FIGHTER. In almost every meaning of the word.
There are so many to choose from, but these are my favorites:
Generous, Dedicated, Honest
enough…
for some reason, people always want to diet, be taller, be smarter or richer. I just want to know that I went through this wor´ld and it mattered, it was enough. The Suedes call it “lagom”.
Hot.
no . .
Brilliant.
no. . .
I think if I could have ONE title, it would be GREAT-MOM.
Children are the most precious thing given to us in our lives. It is amazing how some people take them for granted.
What a great post!
I think the title I would like to aquire – and keep, is HAPPY. It’s been a while, and I really miss that.
I love the mom, sister, daughter, friend titles, and wouldnt give them up for a second, but true happiness is what I seek right now.
… and does Shaun have a brother?? :-)
Me.
Isn’t that enough? Isn’t it horrible that most of us don’t feel like we’re good enough as is? Thanks Regina for the idea!
Oh, and Millionaire would be nice too.
Of course Shaun’s a keeper. That was an incredibly sweet comment he left you. I meant no disrespect, just trying to be funny. Sometimes it backfires on me.
I love you guys, have a great day.
Kath
no disrespect taken. He is incredibly sweet…not an ass kisser, unless of course he has reason too ;)
I mean come on…I have NO room to talk…remember the time Kevin and I were in bed together? hee hee. Just kidding!!
damn….why didn’t I think of Master Juggler? I like that one.
I would give my left arm to have the title Mom.
things that make you go hmmmmm…….great post- how about
cherished
accepted
or really what I want
The next food network star!
World Famous Blogger
OK, no, after thinking about the hate mail world famous bloggers get, maybe not.
I’ll go with: Wise Woman.
Great post. Awesome comments too. Man, Shaun is a sweetie. I would choose…
Visionary
Uninteresting
Because if one more Doc/Dentist looks at my teeth or sinuses and says “That’s really interesting” without diagnosing the problem I’m going to go nuts.
I want to be Mom
and Shaun has to be the sweetest guy there is! (just read through your comments)
Victoria’s Secret Swimsuit Model.
just for a day.
What a wonderful post Kristine and Shaun what a great comment to Kristine.
If I had to pick…hmmmm….it would be
Makes someones life a little better/brighter
I had to think about this one a lot. For me, I pick “SURVIVOR”. That is a close second to “SUPER MOM”.
For my darling daughter Jenelle, I pick “SEIZURE WARRIOR PRINCESS”
Great post – yes, we all hug our little ones a little tighter sometimes. We’re human.
Orgasmically satisfied woman?
Cos it sure would be nice to have that goin on before I need to sew the damn thing shut.
(Mom, cancer ass kicker, and writer are pretty good, but honestly I’d like to be a beloved wife and employed again)
Playmate of the Year.
Alright, not going to happen but one can dream.
Other than that I’m pretty happy with Mom and hope that someday (like when they’re married) my girls will also call me their Best Friend since I don’t have that opportunity with my mother.
I love being “sister,” and “daughter,” and “girl who makes silly jokes and loves puns.”
If I had to choose one, a new one: “A little crazy, but it’s nice.” ; )
I live this post and it really has made me think.
To answer your question…I would like…
Skinny Wife