MamaBlogga Writing Project: Danke Rot Koph

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It is no secret that when my mother was pregnant with me she prayed, begged and pleaded that I would not have red hair. My mother, a redhead, had gone through life enduring more carrot top jokes than any one  person should.

Being a redhead isn’t all about carrot top jokes. It’s also about being very pale, getting very burnt in the summer sun, and having large patches of freckles plant themselves upon your checks and across your nose. If you have German grandparents, or parents in my mother’s case, it is about being nick named “rot koph” (translated redhead in German.) You may not speak German, but you always know when you are being spoken to.

Needless to say, my mother’s prayers were all for not. I came into this world feet first and with a head full of red hair. Initially, I did not like my red hair. I did not like being called carrot top or freckle face– and a few others that I can not share on a family orientated blog. But over time it began to grow on me. It became a significant part of my identity. I felt as though I had been made a member of a very select organization which only allows for those who make up 3% of the world population. I would see other redheads and smile, and they would smile back. Because as odd as it may sound, it is as if we already know each other. Seeing something familiar in a strangers face is a great comfort in life. It affirms that we are not alone, and there is someone who shares in our struggles and in our joy.

While you might have thought I would thank my mother for lessons learned – and she gave me plenty, I thank her for my red hair,  I thank her for my life, I thank her for the experience, and I thank her for my carrot top daughter.

Thank you Mom!

Your Rot Koph

This post is part of the MamaBlogga’s July writing project. Head on over to MamaBlogga’s and find out how you can participate :)

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Filed under: Parenting and Misc Stuff on July 24th, 2007

20 Responses to “MamaBlogga Writing Project: Danke Rot Koph”

  1. Kimmer, on July 25th, 2007 at 11:18 am Said:

    My younger daughter’s hair is more auburn than red, but I still tell people that it’s “a visible alert of her personality.” She gets compliments on it all the time. The freckles have barely started (they’re cute!), and I’m a maniac about the sunscreen. I don’t want her to have the terrible burns that I did as a child (I’m not a redhead, but you wouldn’t know that from my skin tone).

    I think red hair is generally glorious and wonderful, partly due to it’s relative scarcity.

  2. This Eclectic Life » Thursday Thirteen #20—I’ve Been Meaning To Tell You, on July 26th, 2007 at 12:54 am Said:

    […] 8. MammaBlogga has a writing contest going on for July with a random drawing for a $30 gift certificate from Amazon.com. Hurry to enter with a post with a theme of “Thanks Mom.” Click the link to read more. I found out about it after reading a poignant post by Kymberly at My Education Junction. […]

  3. Jordan (MamaBlogga), on July 26th, 2007 at 12:57 am Said:

    It’s always interesting the many different ways we see our parents’ legacies–and the things that we end up being grateful for!

    Thanks for participating!

  4. July GWP Days Two and Three | MamaBlogga, on July 26th, 2007 at 1:39 am Said:

    […] Danke Rot Koph by Kymberlyn […]

  5. Lynnae (From Under the Clutter), on July 26th, 2007 at 3:18 am Said:

    What a great post! Thanks for sharing!

  6. Kate, on July 26th, 2007 at 6:51 am Said:

    Wie schoen!

  7. Shawna, on July 26th, 2007 at 10:28 pm Said:

    So sweet!

    You know there was a time when I wished I were a red head LOL Some so sultry and sexy about them :-)

  8. summershine, on July 27th, 2007 at 12:47 pm Said:

    What a sweet post!
    It’s funny how if you have red hair you hate it and if you don’t have it you want it.
    All of my aunts and uncles on both my moms and dads side have red hair and I’ve been envious of it my whole life.

  9. Christine, on July 29th, 2007 at 4:23 am Said:

    When my son was born he was nearly bald. When his baby fuzz started to come in we noticed how red it was. Then he turned two and it went pure blond, as he just turned seven, it’s turning to dark brown.

    I just wanted to say, my husband’s grandfather has red hair, two of his daughters have red hair, but only one of his grandsons inheirted it. My husband and I were both hoping our son would carry on his legacy.

    Enjoyed reading your post. It is a very beautiful tribute to your mom.

  10. Corey, on July 30th, 2007 at 5:19 am Said:

    Very sweet post. I enjoyed it. :) I thought of my red-haired friend as I read it. :)

  11. July Group Writing Project Finale | MamaBlogga, on July 30th, 2007 at 4:03 pm Said:

    […] Danke Rot Koph by Kymberlyn […]

  12. Mama Bloggas July Group Writing Project Links. at Mommy Zabs, on July 30th, 2007 at 8:27 pm Said:

    […] Danke Rot Koph by Kymberlyn […]

  13. July Writing Group… » The Life of a School Bus Driver!, on July 30th, 2007 at 9:06 pm Said:

    […] Danke Rot Koph by Kymberlyn […]

  14. Mama Bloggas July Group Writing Project Links. « homeschooling diva, on July 31st, 2007 at 12:44 am Said:

    […] Danke Rot Koph by Kymberlyn […]

  15. MamaBlogga's Group Writing Project, on July 31st, 2007 at 12:46 am Said:

    […] Danke Rot Koph by Kymberlyn […]

  16. Spreading the love « Musings of a southern girl at heart, on July 31st, 2007 at 3:19 am Said:

    […] Danke Rot Koph by Kymberlyn […]

  17. southerngirlmusings, on July 31st, 2007 at 3:50 am Said:

    Thanks for sharing and I am glad that you love your red hair.

  18. Kymberlyn, on July 31st, 2007 at 1:48 pm Said:

    Thanks everyone!

    Southerngirlmusings,
    I think liking red hair often takes a long time to come around. Thank goodness when we get there. My complexion makes me hard pressed to look good in any other color :)

  19. Links You Should Read :: Mommy Babble, on July 31st, 2007 at 3:12 pm Said:

    […] Danke Rot Koph by Kymberlyn […]

  20. July Group Writing Project « Raising boys - and how they raise me!, on July 31st, 2007 at 10:27 pm Said:

    […] Danke Rot Koph by Kymberlyn […]

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