I Know I Wanna Be Like You (Mother's Day Tribute)

I Know I Wanna Be Like You
By: Autumn McDougald, September 24th, 2025
Written for my Maw Maw, a fighter, a wife, a mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, and talented writer. The strongest woman I know.

Maw Maw, I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, 
But I know I want to be like you. 
 
Sweet southern charm, a gentle hand,
A guiding light where I will stand.
Your love’s the root that helps me grow,
One of the best examples I will ever know.
 
Maw Maw, I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, 
But I know I want to be like you. 
 
You move with grace in all you do,
A heart so strong, a soul so true.
With every smile, the world feels less blue,
Kindness shines the whole way through.
 
Maw Maw, I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up,
But I know I want to be like you. 
 
Hot food is always on the stove, sweet tea cold,
Recipes worth more than silver or gold.
With every meal, your love shines through,
The best southern cook is you.
 
Maw Maw, I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up,
But I know I want to be like you. 
 
Your faith is the legacy I hope to claim,
To walk unashamed in His holy name.
Through trials and storms, your spirit has stayed true,
God’s light shines brighter because it’s in you.
 
Maw Maw, I may be almost 29, still learning what’s true,
But I’ll always cherish the grandma I’ve had in you. 
 
Maw Maw, I don’t know what I’ll be when I grow up, 
But I KNOW I want to be just like you.