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.

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