The Cold, Hard Truth about Me

It has come to my attention that my lovely cyber buddy Maria has nominated me for a Rockin' Nice Blogger award. I had the blessed privilege of meeting the Ladybug Mommy and her beautiful children this summer in their hometown...and what a treasured meeting it was! That day will be remembered fondly in my heart forever because, well, Maria is simply that amazing. Oh, she rocks, to be sure, and she goes beyond the upper limits of being nice. If I had to use one word to describe her, it would be effervescent. Not because she smelled like the soda pop that Benedict had just spilled on her, but because joy and love bubble out of her at every moment. Within seconds, I felt as if I had known and been loved by Maria all of my life. It's a gift, I tell you, and I love that in a person.

However, as much as I love and respect dear Maria, I'm afraid that my conscience will not allow me to accept this nomination. It is a reflection of her sweet ability to view me through her loving, generous eyes and has no basis in reality whatsoever.

In the first place, while I'd like to think that I am pretty darn hip-happenin' (for a Catholic home educating mom), it would be a stretch to say that I rock. Yes, I do listen to K-LOVE and WOW 2007, but most of my rockin' takes place in that brown chair up above. It's okay. I came to terms with my squareness several years ago.

More significantly...and I'm sorry, Maria, for any false impressions I may have given you, but...I am definitely not nice. At least one of my kids reminds me of this on any given day. For example, I won't let Charlie have candy for breakfast. I make Jacinta brush her hair at least once a week. I won't let Mei Mei make phone calls after 9pm. I make Nastia walk, rather than gallop or canter, in the house. I won't let Valya use money from her college savings to buy an Ipod. I make Elena eat citrus. What can I say? I am a mean mommy.

Given that these little souls are the ones to observe my behavior 24/7, I must defer to their assessment of the degree of my niceness. I'm sure they would have a few (uncomplimentary) things to say about my ability to rock as well, if I dared to ask them. I'm afraid I just don't cut the mustard for this award.

In declining the nomination, I'm pretty sure I also surrender the opportunity to nominate others (which is actually quite convenient, since I can't figure out who has already been nominated elsewhere and I hate to name names and leave anyone out). But I hope you will indulge me with just one consolation nomination for the dual award of Rockin' Nice Blogger: my friend Marianne at Catholic Moonlight in Vermont. This post alone makes her the perfect candidate for the Rockin' bit, and she always leaves me the Nicest comments. I can't wait to visit her and her family in Vermont someday.

Thanks anyway, Maria, you sweet fountain of love.