We just celebrated Mother's day. Mine was wonderful. Like most, I think every day is Mother's day.
Whether your mother is still keeping you on your toes, or is no longer physically here, we all remember mom-isms.
You know - the comments we thought so annoying and absurd. Now we look back and think how clever, how wise, how memorable. Some examples from my youth still bring a smile.
Hearing one of us complain: And she just talked and talked on and on. Mother's quiet response: And, of course YOU just listened.
Asking mother to bring something to us: What did your last maid die from?
Or sometimes: What? You have a broken leg? Get it yourself.
Worrying about a pain we perceived as a potentially dreadful disease: Only the good die young, you have nothing to worry about, Joan.
Imitating someone with a physical challenge: Stop. God bless the mark. In other words, you are wishing this affliction on yourself if you do not stop. We stopped.
We say I'm bored. She says: Life is boring only to boring people. Make yourself useful.
And on went the home grown from the heart responses.
Never preaching, never raising her voice, never threatening. Always a lesson to ponder - even if the pondering came years later.
Now I pass these on to my children and grandchildren. Funny thing. They look at me the same way I looked at my mother. You know behind the rolling eyes they are thinking ' this woman is weird.'
And I'm thinking - just wait.
So, thanks Mom; you live on.
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