Identity

As an English Major, I spend an abundant amount of time analyzing, discussing, and writing about identity. I can't remember the last time I got through even one week of a literature course without the issue of identity coming up. Of course, this inevitably forces me to examine my own identity on a nearly constant basis.
The easiest way to describe ourselves is to list the different stereotypes and groups that we fit in to. I am a mother, a wife, and a student. Almost every time I am asked to describe myself, I start with that. Those three little words say so much about my life, and lead the audience to build a model of my life. In case you were wondering, I am also a Christian (and usually a Sunday school teacher), a Democrat, a PTA member, a substitute teacher, and I drive an SUV (but a little one with not-so-horrible gas mileage).
As of last Monday, I am the mother of a newborn, and for the next year at least that label will by far supersede all others. When I had my daughter six years ago, she became the center of my existence, as all infants should. Slowly, over the next six years she became more and more independent and needed me less and less. As that happened, I had to rebuild the identity that she consumed at birth. Now, as I start the journey of motherhood for the second time, I am aware that being a mother will once again become MOST (but not all) of who I am, at least for the next few years.
Just to add a little disclaimer, I do not resent this aspect of motherhood; I accept it and in a way I embrace it. After all, knowing that this was the case, I chose to do it again – and I will be repaid for my sacrifice of time and self in love, a hundred fold.