My Mother Wears Army Boots
Just to be clear, she doesn’t really, but she could because my momma kicks butt! Once again, in honor of Mother’s Day, here is just some of what I learned from her:
- Family is important. As is spending time together. And not taking each other for granted.
- Traditions are powerful, but they can change over time.
- You are as young as you feel, act, dress, want to be. Getting older can be redefined.
- Be generous. With your time, your self, your money.
- Injuries will only slow you down as much as you let them. Fix what you can, work with/around the rest.
- Applesauce is best hot off the stove with big chunks of fruit and no added sugar but lots of love stirred in.
- Great minds really do think alike:)
- There’s nothing like a good book. (Although ebooks are great for traveling.)
- Do the borders of a jigsaw puzzle first.
- Grandkids are one of parenting’s greatest rewards.
- If you eat only half the cookie or brownie, don’t be surprised if the rest is missing when you go back for it.
- Musicals are great entertainment for a few hours and some of the songs linger on and on and on.
- It can be a good thing not to clean your plate.
- It’s better to marry a man with potential and build a life together than to marry a rich man who has already gotten there alone.
- Wear beige undergarments under white clothes.
- The true value of family heirlooms.
- Gray hair is not flattering on everyone. Thinning hair is indeed hereditary.
- Every mom will make parenting mistakes but they will be different from those her own mom made.
- Working out with a trainer is lots of fun when you do it with a partner.
- A spa vacation is true bliss.
- Mother’s should not try to talk in teenager-speak.
- Always write a thank you note. Sometimes a phone call or email will suffice.
- If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.
- Use good manners; help clear the table; RSVP when asked; ask what you can bring.
- Wear sunscreen.
- You don’t have to do what all the other kids are doing or have what all the other kids are having. If they jump off a cliff you don’t have to jump too.
- If a food or household supply is running low or you use it up, put it on the shopping list or replace it.
- Whatever it is… this too shall pass.
- Not everyone passes their driver’s license exam on the first try.
- Avoid booking the last flight of the day if possible.
- Sometimes mother really does know best.
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, and most especially to mine:) I love you Mom
Walk This Away
Recently, for the first time in many years, I thought about my ex-sister-in-law. I have three; this one was the skinniest of the bunch. But I wasn’t thinking of her because of that. Well, not exactly. She popped into my head because I had a flashback about a peculiar habit of hers. When dessert was served, she walked away.
Maybe I would never have noticed her doing this, if not for the video of my son’s first birthday party. (That would be my oldest who is now 22!) My husband and I sat and watched the video over and over, enjoying the cuteness of our rapidly growing baby boy. We heard the regaling chorus of the Birthday Song and watched ourselves move to cut the cake. And we noticed my SIL leave the room.
And one of us, I don’t remember which, made the connection that this was not a one time event. We realized that every time dessert was served at a family gathering, the same thing happened: SIL left the room. Hmm. Curious. Why? We didn’t care. And we didn’t much think about it again.
Until just the other day. When I was driving in my car, a place where random thoughts and epiphanies often pop into my brain. And I thought about her. And her potential calorie saving habit. Because twice in the preceding (Passover/Easter) weekend I had been at family events and both times we had sat around the table for hours, with a variety of desserts in front of us.
There I sat; there sat the sweets. Me. Them. I had a little bit. I sat longer. I had a bit more. I sat longer. More. Longer. Nibble, nibble, nibble. Proximity and temptation united to win out over willpower.
Now, just to clarify, I didn’t really eat EXCESSIVE amounts. There was no bingeing. But, there was clearly a succumbing to temptation that would not have happened had I not sat at that those tables in front of those desserts for all those hours.
But, back to the car, and my thoughts of my SIL, who I hadn’t seen in years. “Aha,” thought I. “SIL would NOT have sat at the table.” She’d not even have stayed in the same room, if possible. Could this have been her strategy all along? Could this be my new strategy?
Sometimes. Maybe. Sometimes not. Because as I think about just walking away, I realize that at some social events, the gathering is really limited to the table. Everyone sits. Captive, almost. As we talk. And visit. But at other times and places, the action is taking place all over and it would be a simple plan to excuse myself from one conversation (at the table) and join another outside hands’ reach of the treats.
So, that’s my new plan. When I can, walk away. When I can’t, sit and stay. But I’m going to do my best to move the temptation as far across the table as I can!
Does your family sit around the table (and dessert) for hours too? How do you handle it? Ever notice any odd habits in family members?
It’s not too late! You can still enter the Snikiddy Snack and grocery gift card giveaway!
