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Knowing that I would be leaving on a business trip this morning, taking me away from my family for several days, I was eager to spend the morning's moments wisely with Jolie. I was already missing her for the upcoming days ahead and not looking forward AT ALL to leaving her.

As I walked into her room, excited to see that beautiful face just waking up, I was greeted with "Daddy? Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! I want my Daddy!"

"Darling," I said, "it's just Mommy. Daddy's downstairs."

"I want my Daddy!" she demanded again.

I wanted to say: YO. I'm leaving for a few days, can you throw me a bone? Pretend you love me!

While I love that she loves her Daddy so much -- I certainly wouldn't want that to stop -- I can't help but feel a little heart-broken that our toddler doesn't always want me in the same way. What ever happened to that Mommy-Is-The-World Stage? Did I miss it? Is it coming? Did I get robbed of that showering of child love?

There are certain things she prefers me for like comforting. Whenever she's hurt or sad or needs to be held, only Mommy will do. I love that (not that she needs comforting but that I, alone, can provide that for her.) To me, that is mothering.

But then there are times like these that I left feeling like an old, discarded shoe. And an old-discarded shoe about to hit the road no less!

I've heard stories from some mothers who feel almost oppressed by the amount of attention their child requires only of them. That when it's All Mommy, All The Time, it gets tiring and old.

But, I can't help but think wistfully of how great that would be too.

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