Imitation is Flattery

When I have looked at this picture, I always assumed Carissa was looking at Kathryn. While talking about this photo with my mother-in-law, she pointed out that Carissa is looking at me, and holding the bear in the same fashion I am holding Kathryn. She said she loves it because Carissa is imitating me, and imitation is the biggest form of flattery.

I always knew that Carissa learned things from seeing or hearing me do things, and I try to make an intentional effort to demonstrate good practices that I want her to pick up. And I often chuckle or beam with pride when I see her do something or hear her say something that I know she learned from me.

But until this conversation with my MIL, I had never really paid attention to Carissa's process of watching me. I have started watching her watch me, and oh I wish I could describe with words the feelings that brings. It is simply amazing to see her look at me, study my movements, and immediately try to do them herself.

My biggest example was from earlier this evening. GiGi and Papa have this Little Tikes kitchen they bought when Carissa was in my tummy and finally brought it out of their basement today. But sadly, there weren't any dishes to go with it. After dinner out, GiGi ran into the store and bought Carissa a set of dishes to go with her kitchen set. The dishes included a couple pans with lids, a tea kettle, a ladle and spatula, salt and pepper shakers, and 2 sets of plates, cups, forks, knives, and spoons. While Kathryn took a nap, mommy got to spend some special playtime with Carissa. We poured tea into our cups and drank them. We served some soup and ate it. We added salt and pepper to our meals. Washed our hands before we ate. Washed dishes etc. It was loads of fun.

But what I enjoyed most of this time was watching her copy me. After she poured me "more tea" I took the spoon to stir my tea. She picked up her spoon and began stirring her tea. But as she was stirring she was looking at me, studying how I was stirring my tea, and trying to mirror my movements. My heart swelled.

Imitation truly is the biggest form of flattery - especially for a mother whose two year old daughter tries to imitate her. For me, that means Carissa views me as someone worth imitating. She wants to me like mommy. What an honor! And what a responsibility. I pray that I am able to do right by her and set a good model for her to imitate. I know that I am already seeing a reflection of myself in her, and I pray to God that I am able to always see a reflection that I am proud of ... but most of all, that God is proud of. Oh how I love being a mommy. God could not have given me a better job in the world. This is by far the best job ever, and is definitely the most important ministry that God could ever have asked me to do. All I can say is I have found my calling!

Thank you God for my beautiful girls! Amen.