...Off on a Tangent: Things I Learned From My Mother

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Things I Learned From My Mother

My mother's birthday was on Monday, December 15th, and though it is still hard to know she's gone, it was a bit easier this year, as it is every year that passes since she left us. It started me thinking, though, about all the things I learned from her in the 15 years I had with her. These are reasons I miss her and reasons why not a day goes by when I don't think about her. I learned...

...how to make a bed with perfect hospital corners
...how to scramble eggs
...how to make bacon in the microwave
...how to "bend" the dishes (figuratively) so they all fit in the dishwasher
...how to brush a dog so they actually like it and will hold still for you
...how to take care of a baby
...how to wash, dry & fold laundry (I'm not sure I can ever forgive her for this one, though!)
...that true love is unconditional
...how to use the telephone
...that proper manners, in all aspects of your life, are important
...that proper grammar is important
...that elbows on the table should be forbidden
...that it is possible to make an entire dinner out of practically nothing (I haven't quite picked up this skill yet, but I know it's possible.)
...that cats are your friends
...that you should treat your friends like family, and your family like friends
...how to wrap the cord around a hairdryer so it isn't a jumbled mess and is always neat and tidy when you need it
...how to shave your legs (though I haven't learned not to cut myself, yet.)
...happiness doesn't mean money, conversely, money doesn't mean happiness
...how to look like you feel good about yourself, even if you don't
...that you are stronger than you give yourself credit for
...that you can do anything if you put your mind to it
...to fight until there is no fight left in you

Thanks, Mom. I love you every day.

TTFN JMS

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Hi sister!

I want you to know that you are very lucky to have all these memories of things you learned from mom. I am trying to remember something and I am very upset to realize that I remember very little. I love you.; 5:37 PM
Anonymous said...: Speaking as her (your Mom's) little brother, I miss her too. She'd be very proud of you guys and would brag on you all the time!

I also think (for some reason) about your Dad showing me the wedding rings they had bought - they had their initials on the inside - B.H.G. and M.N.G. but he laughed and said that it looked more like: Bo Ho Go and Mo No Go as the ".'s" were little circles (o) - Oh well, just popped into my head for some reason.

Cheers, UB; 4:36 AM