Monday, May 11, 2009

Things I Learned From My Mom

I've been tagged by my sweet friend, Lesley (The Funky Art Queen) for a list of things you learned from your Mom.

No one will ever know how much I miss my Mom. My mom was my best friend, but unfortunately, due to several sad things in her life, sometimes she was a bit cynical. Her beloved father drowned when she was 12 years old and tragically her first child died when he was 6 years old.

Some of the things I learned from her were not things that she taught me to do, but things that I wanted to make sure I never did. One thing is sure, she did the best that she could. She was extremely smart, well read and had an incredible vocabulary. She wanted to be a nurse, but couldn't stand sickness. She wanted to retire in Florida, but never made it.

She loved all of us kids and tried to be supportive, but never seemed inclined to encourage us, as some parents might, to do our best. She wasn't a people person, she much preferred to work puzzles than to socialize. I inadvertently hurt her feelings badly several times as a teenager, but we always worked it out. Since my siblings don't read this blog, I can confess...she always liked me the best of us three kids. She kept a paper soda cup of mine on her shelf because it reminded her of me. She always laughed when I offered to give her a picture of me for that shelf.

When she felt bad, she refused to tell anyone. Probably because she hated hospitals so much, due to her son's lengthy illness. If I have any regrets, it is not understanding the pain that she felt from losing that son. No one ever tried to explain to us how much she missed him. So my list may not be what one might expect, but here it is...

Twenty Things I Learned From My Mom

1. Never ride a bike down a steep hill if you don't know where the brakes are.
2. Right Guard sprayed in your hair doesn't have much hold
3. If you forget & boil water long enough in an aluminum pan, the pan will catch fire and melt.
4. When you drop an entire pot of cooked green beans in the floor, scoop them up & serve them anyway
5. If the cake comes out inedible, toss the whole thing out into the yard
6. Try not to have your feelings hurt by children that can't possibly understand
7. Don't rock the boat
8. Don't always believe it when co-workers say they will back you up, they might not
9. Always read your Bible and say your prayers
10. Slippers and crossword puzzle books always make great gifts
11. Reading out loud is a talent
12. Shaking a tambourine and insisting on money being thrown in it is always funny
13. Suffering in silence isn't always the best thing
14. Toasted cheese sandwiches are comfort food
15. You and your favorite daughter can drywall the kitchen with a butcher knife
16. If you don't want something thrown away, be sure to tell people
17. When all else fails, try to be funny
18. A secret is taken to the grave
19. Don't do as I do, do as I say
20. 79 is too young to die.

I love you Mom, I miss you and I am so happy that you come to me in my dreams. I will never forget you and I know that I am just like you in so many ways....and that's a good thing.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Susan, what a beautiful and honest tribute to your Mom. I hope you had a great day. Your words have given me something to really think about.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

What a wonderful list. I feel like I know your mom a little--and I wish I could have! She sounds like quite a woman!

noodle and lou said...

Oh gosh Susan...that is so sweet. Thanks for sharing this with us...

oxoxxx...jenn

Michele said...

So poignant. Thank you for sharing your mother with us. I miss mine too!

Kims Art said...

Beautiful! I spent most of yesterdy thinking about mine. She was also my best friend. I never missed a day of talking to her even if we were having a argument. My mother was also not one for encouragement, but I know she loved us. She was a single parent of three and looking back I guess she was just so busy trying to figure out what to do with her life, she was probably just tired and she had three kids wanting her time and encourgement and she just did not have it to give. I wish she were here, so I could tell her these things. Like you wishing you had been more understanding of her loss, but it is only through having loss that we understand. My brother asked me the other day if I still thought of Mom as much and I told him, I see her in the mirror every day. They may not be here with us in body, but they are in soul.

Pocket Full of Prettys said...

Thanks so much for sharing a little bit of your Mom with us. And have I ever told you how pretty your hair is? Love the soft white tones with the darker tones, you are beautiful. Hugs***Renea

FAQ said...

Gulp, that is precious.....so much there. Hugs susan. Love you!

Kristen H said...

I love this post, Susan. What a great list, I like that you were honest with it. So many people don't go past the taught me to tie my shoes. Everyone's mom does that.
My mom is 73, I cherish all our time together. My dad will 78 this year. I hope I have much time left with them. I try to make every visit great, just in case I don't though.
The funeral we went to this past weekend left my dad to be the last one of 7 brothers and sisters. It is quite sad to be last.
Your mom sounds awesome, I would miss her too. You can share mine with me!

Tina said...

I like your list.
T

AJ said...

What a great list and a post about your mother. Thank you for sharing.

angela recada said...

What a wonderful tribute to your mom, Susan. She was lucky to have you as her (favorite!) daughter.

Carolynn Anctil said...

Hi Susan!

I'm so delighted to meet you, and your Mother by proxy. I LOVE your list. I'm not sure if I was supposed to, however, I did laugh out loud over more than just a few of them.

Thank you for leaving your thoughtful and kind note at my place and for inviting me over to have a visit with you. I'm sure I'll be back again.

Blessings,
Carolynn

Amy Gethins Sullivan said...

~Oh my, Susan~
~that was so dear & loving~
~tears, tears, tears as i read it~
xxx~amy~

Countryfolk Keepsakes said...

What a great post. :> )
~Peanut