Things My Mother Taught Me

 Masha and I were just talking about how fun it is to make lists and how we were going to journal more lists this year. 

A writing assignment from my Creative Writing Workshop asked us to write a list of things a significant person your life has taught you and didn't teach you. It was interesting how most of the students wrote about parents.

As I wrote these things down, I tried to remember if my mother actually said these things to me or if they are a figment of my imagination. I realized although she may not of voiced them as you see them here, they were taught by her parenting and how she lived her life. 

Things my mother taught me

·         Telling the truth doesn’t mean telling everything you know.

·         When reading Dickens, don’t give up. It will make sense eventually.

·         When two people are in a relationship, one usually loves more than the other.

·         The dishes aren’t done until the floor is swept.

·         How you treat old people when you are young is how you will be treated when you are old.

·         There are worse things than being alone, for example: being alone without reading material.

·         Pasta, potatoes or bread with plenty of butter can cure almost anything.

·         The same people who love you fat, will love you skinny, and then fat again.

·         When the time comes to die, you don’t have to be afraid, death is not the enemy and heaven is not some far off place, it is only one breath, one heartbeat away. There will always be someone waiting to welcome you, and for you, it will be me.

Things my mother didn’t teach me

·         That you will believe you are dying each time you give birth, and that same feeling will reoccur when your baby goes to kindergarten, walks down the aisle or is rushed to emergency surgery.

·         That laundry mountains can never be summited. Ever.

·         That sleeping opposite a cold shoulder is lonelier than sleeping alone.

·         The only thing sweeter than your baby’s kisses are your grandbaby’s kisses.

·         Calories get bigger as you get older.

·         Becoming who you were created to be is between you and God, and you may have to ask some folks to kindly butt out. A home and family is a good thing, but it’s not always enough. Don’t be afraid to wear red shoes, turn the car radio up, roll the windows down, and let your purple hair blow in the wind.

·         Learn something new, travel, and take good care of yourself.

·         Treat your sisters gently, you will need them when you're grown..

 

I would love to see some of your lists!