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Life’s defining moments continue

Editor’s note: This column was originally published in the spring of 2004.

After I started typing an e-mail message to a friend, I glanced back at the subject and questioned my reasons for choosing “party weekend” as my subject. The phrase sounded so daring, exciting and wild. What was I thinking?

When I figured out my meaning, I could only laugh. Fifteen years ago, let’s just say, an e-mail message with that subject would’ve sounded quite different.

Today, however, I wrote about the success of my daughter’s second birthday party and inquired about my friend’s daughter’s First Communion party; both were held on the same day. The passage of years has certainly changed the meaning of what a party weekend entails.

I suppose there are some other phrases that have changed meaning since becoming a mother. Fifteen years ago, I thought the label “soccer mom” was an insult. I remember hearing a radio show about women who were choosing to drive mini-vans while carting their children to soccer games. Callers and the radio host bashed these women because they would cheer for their children on the sidelines and give every spare second to their children. Back then, “soccer moms” sounded like a bunch of lunatics.

Well, guess whose son is signed up to play soccer this summer? Guess who is already purchasing film and videotape to capture every riveting moment of every game? Guess who now owns a white minivan? Yes. Right. You’re looking at her.

If I had a soccer mom sweatshirt, I’d wear it with pride. One day, I’ll probably even wear buttons with my son’s picture on it so that the entire community can see him while I shop for groceries, buy stamps or take a walk. I’m hooked. There’s no turning back.

There’s one more habit that has changed meaning of the years: reading. I can’t tell you all of the novels on the best seller’s list, but I can tell you the plot-line of any book involving a blue puppy, a spectacle-wearing aardvark, a determined little engine, a hungry caterpillar and a brown bear. These are the best-sellers in our home, and those are good enough for me.

I have been reassured by other parents who have children over the age of 5 that there really will be time to catch up on all of those books I’ve missed while changing diapers and rocking the kids to sleep.

I even have a goal: I’d like to read “The DaVinci Chronicles” during the month of August — soccer season should be done by then.

Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com

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