The first time I went to Disneyland I was around 4. For some brave reason, my mom took me on the old Rockets ride, which I don't even understand today because she's afraid of heights. Somehow she missed the part about putting the smallest person in front (they must not have had that sign back then), so she put me behind her. When the ride got going, she panicked that I was going to fall to my death. So using her own mother-bear will-power, along with some centrifugal force, she pinned me to the back of the seat. After some discomfort I yelled, "Mommy, mommy, I'm a squished hot dog!" (Still no idea why I chose the hot dog metaphor.)
This line became a catch phrase for my family. (And was used in perfectly-timed moments such as when my little sister watched the vendor hot dog she was just eating get run over by a bike when she dropped it on the ground in Central Park.)
We used to tease my mom mercilessly about that rocket incident.
Well, fast forward to February, 2010. We took our own kids to Disneyland for the first time. (I hadn't been myself since my high school choir trip when I was 18 years old.) We had those magical Disney moments of riding on Dumbo's back and laughing at the campy boat drivers on the Jungle Cruise. And then for some reason, we decided to take everyone on Splash Mountain. As soon as the ride got going, I wondered what I had done! Why had I brought my babies on this wild ride?! I had the 5-year-old with me and my husband was behind me with the 3-year-old. The whole climb I kept saying to my husband, "Hold on to him. Are you holding on to him? Are you holding tightly onto him? Is he going to go flying out of the ride? Are you sure you're holding him tight?" Then we hit the big dip - the part where they snap your picture and I screamed, terrified for my babies, and I clutched my 5-year-old as tight as I could.
It wasn't until later that night I realized, I was now the one squishing the hot dogs.
When I got home, I dug out the picture of that last trip to Disneyland when I was 18, in that same place, on that same ride.
Fast forward 18 years. This is how I had changed. What motherhood had done to me.
So to my mom: I'm sorry we teased you so much about protecting me from imminent danger on a Disneyland Rocket. I totally get it now.
To all you other moms who suddenly have fear where before you had none: You are not alone.
To all of you who have also felt like squished hot-dogs in your own lives: Thank Heaven for a mother who loves you.
And to all moms everywhere, thank you, on behalf of us 'hot-dogs' and Happy Mother's Day.
Bego
this is a very sweet (and funny) story to tell. happy mother's day to mums everywhere.
Stephanie
Love this Mother's Day post, such a great story. Happy Mother's day to you 🙂
Patty
good story, Happy Mother's Day to you too.
angela
Adorable - what a fun story! Happy Mother's Day Amy!
Scarlett Burroughs
Greats Mother's Day story, you have captured the permanent state of anxiety well. <br /><br />Scarlett
Lori
Amy, you are a great hot dog!
Trisha
What a great story! And I love the then and now pictures. Happy Mother's Day, Amy!!
About Me
Love the post!Happy Mother's Day and enjoy squishing your hot dogs! It is what Mothers are supposed to do ;0)
Aunt Spicy
That is the greatest! Happy Mothers Day!
Misty-Ann
I really am crying I'm laughing so hard.<br /><br />We do the same thing to our kids on that ride!!! <br /><br />Happy Mother's day hun!
Make Do & Mend
Awwww! thats just made me want to go and wake my kids up just for a hug! Lovely story! Thankyou.
girlsmama
Happy Mother's day Amy! I loved your story! On splash mountain this last November I had that exact same moment with my children. I was sure they were going to fly out. We made it okay though. I'm sure it was only because of my mama bear tenacity "squishing" them into their seats. 🙂
ktquilts
Well said! I get it now too!!<br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br />KT
Des
i love this post. great way to illustrate being a mother. and if we can do it at disneyland? well, all the better.
Heckety
SOOOOO with you! This is a really good illustration of how it is to be a Mom! Thank you!
Honey
What a sweet sweet post. 🙂
Laura
Fantastic! Hot dogs and Disneyland as the basis for a Mother's Day tribute? Doesn't get any better!!
mandbrid
This is the BEST Mother's Day tribute ever! So cute!
Laura-Lu
It was a golf cart in central park actually, not a bike. Just wanted to clarify the fate of the hot dog.
Smarties
L- thanks for the clarification. A golf cart would do a much better job actually squishing a hot dog.
Robin
Such a true post. I'm right there with you on the fear factor. Motherhood changes us, no question.
Sunshine
Cute story 😉
victoriamiller
I am still chuckling! This is exactly what happened with our trip, 25 years ago!