“Mommy, can you take me to the Mother/Daughter thing at school?”

“Sure, Lexi, that sounds fun. Wait…when is it?”

I’ve never gone to a mother/daughter banquet either as a mother or daughter. I’ve seen it on television. I’ve heard about it from friends, but I have always longed to accompany my daughter to one so she can experience it, but my dream will have to be placed on hold.

Because, of course, I won’t be in town for this first mother/daughter event. I won’t even be in the country because another cherished dream of serving children and communities in Africa will be realized at the same time. Through work, I will get to serve in Uganda, but then there’s my six-year-old who wants her mommy to be with her at this event.

She didn’t cry. She didn’t throw a tantrum. She just said, “Okay, maybe next time.” I could have beaten myself up, but I didn’t. I asked if she would be alright having someone else go with her because in the span of just a few minutes, several women came to mind-women who wouldn’t only say yes, but do so with joy.

She gave me this huge smile and said, “Thanks, mommy. You’re the best!” I am? Wouldn’t the best mommy move heaven and earth to attend the mother/daughter luncheon with her?? She confirmed that I was her best mommy because instead of saying she couldn’t go at all, I worked it out to find another mommy that would take her.

So, ladies, I thank you for coming alongside me and standing in for me during the precious moments that I miss, such as the woman who held Lexi during the first few days when I was experiencing postpartum blues, for the woman at Lexi’s daycare who clapped and cheered when she started walking, for the woman at her school who helped her wrap her first tooth that fell out, for the woman that took her on her first Girl Scout outing, for the woman who braids Lexi’s hair when I’m out of town, for the woman who joyfully accompanies my daughter to the mother/daughter luncheon, and for the countless other women who have and continue to encourage, discipline, hug, love, and pray over Lexi. You are all mothering Lexi with me and saving my hide in the meantime!

So I thought I was in the clear, but then came…”Mommy, are you going to be here for my first grade music program? I have a speaking part.”

“Sure, I’d love to! Wait, when is it?”

Any women out there want to stand in for me at Lexi’s musical and take lots of pictures???