I developed a much closer bond with my Mom after our special “mother-daughter” time together.

On the following Sunday morning, I came downstairs early, knowing that she would be preparing a big breakfast while my father and younger brothers slept.

She was lost in thought and clearly surprised to see me so early, and I startled her a bit.

“Goodness!” She exclaimed. “Oh, Good morning, Honey Bunny!”

“Morning Mom…I was wondering if I could help you get everything ready for our breakfast this morning?”

“Wow Mikey, I would love to have a helper. Of course you can. Why don’t you start by peeling the Oranges?”

I had just clipped my fingernails, so Mom’s technique of using her nails wasn’t going to work.

I then decided to go get my Swiss Army knife that Dad bought me for my birthday last year to open them up.

“Good thinking my boy!”

“Thanks Mom!”

As I peeled the oranges and thought about the whirlwind of feelings, emotions, and incredible fun I had just experienced, I decided to ask Mom some questions.

“Mom, where did you put all those girl clothes you bought for me?”

“In one of my steamer trunks, why?”

“Well, I really enjoyed wearing all the different styles of clothes, and I was wondering if we could do a fashion show again sometime.”

“I really enjoyed our special time together too, Honey.” Mom then leaned over from the sizzling bacon pan to kiss my head.

“It was a lot of fun for me to take you shopping and have a nice night together, just the two of us. I have always wanted to do something like that, it made me so happy!”

“It made me really happy too, Mom.”

Mom looked back at me with a huge smile.

“Sure thing Honey Bunny. And any time you want to get into your special clothes, all you have to do is ask.”

“I would really like to do it again soon. The silky nylons and everything was so different from my usual clothes. The cashmere was especially soft, and made me feel all kinds of amazing things.”

“Oh I understand, at your age your tactile senses are really in full swing.”

“What’s tactile mean?”

“It’s your sense of touch. Yours are apparently highly attuned. It’s a very special gift to have!”

“Wow, awesome! Mom, what if I turn into a girl?”

My mother burst out laughing hysterically.

“Mikey dear, wearing different clothes is not going to interfere with what Mother Nature has already set in motion. You’re going to grow into a strong man, just like your Father. And the fact that you enjoyed the look and feel of everything you wore simply means you now have an appreciation for us ladies that you wouldn’t have otherwise had. I’m so proud of you for being courageous enough to overcome so many negative stereotypes about women and girls, and deliver an outstanding report about Annie Oakley. Miss Russo gave you an A+!”
I thought about that a bit.

“Can we still do mother-daughter time if I grow bigger?”

“Of course Honey. I want you to always be happy with who you are. No matter what, you’ll always be my baby boy…except for when we pretend you’re also my baby girl too,” as she giggled and teased my hair.

As we finished preparing our breakfast, I loved my mother more than ever, and gazed at her with a feeling of incredible admiration.
I continued to enjoy dressing up in everything she bought me as long as I could, until my freshman year of High School, when I outgrew the last of my skirts. It was October, Halloween was rolling around, and a few of my friends decided to do something totally crazy: Dress up as cheerleaders! More shopping trips, and more than a few shenanigans, were in the cards…but that’s for next time.

“Fin”