When I was probably 7 or 8 and wanted a new Easter dress, she figured out how to buy one at Wal-Mart even though we didn’t have the money - a memory that brings tears to my eyes 20+ years later. We used to play "restaurant" and I remember making a gingerbread house while watching Jaws (don't judge!). At the end of my 5th grade year, she let me leave school a couple of weeks early to go to New York to visit family with my Grandparents for a whole month!
She tells stories of my upbringing that show instances of boredom (she calls it "creativity") on her behalf. Like telling me to "sit like a lady" which apparently had me stop what I was doing and sit down, then cross my legs (may explain my prudish behavior as an adult!). Helping me learn how to walk - she put the stiffest soled shoes on me that she could find thinking that would be helpful with balance. She strung pipe cleaners through the holes on my pacifier and looped them around my ears so I wouldn't be so inclined (read: able) to spit it out.
She tells stories of my upbringing that show instances of boredom (she calls it "creativity") on her behalf. Like telling me to "sit like a lady" which apparently had me stop what I was doing and sit down, then cross my legs (may explain my prudish behavior as an adult!). Helping me learn how to walk - she put the stiffest soled shoes on me that she could find thinking that would be helpful with balance. She strung pipe cleaners through the holes on my pacifier and looped them around my ears so I wouldn't be so inclined (read: able) to spit it out.
She insists on referring to herself as “Bella” when talking to the dogs because she thinks if she plants the seed now, my children will call her that too. I’m going to get them to call her “Old Lady” instead. Her favorite answer is, “HEY! I made that”. “Yah, I know Mom, in 1988. Time to let it go….Joe’s going to be 23…you made it before he was born.”
My mother just wants everyone to be happy, comfortable and have a place to stay…..and this is how our conversations go when I’m visiting her:
M: “Are you going out with friends while you’re here?”
A: “I don’t know. Maybe.”
M: “Why don’t you just have them come here?”
A: (‘To do what!?!?!’) Blank stare.
M: “Are you going to dinner first?”
A: “I don’t know, maybe. But you always make plenty of food, so even if I stay here, I won’t starve.”
M: “You should have everyone meet here before you go out.”
A: (‘Who is everyone and how many people does she think I know?’) Blank stare.
M: “Why don’t you have your friends over – I’ll make dinner for everyone!?”
A: (‘Uhhh – is this Junior Prom?’) blank stare
M: “Just invite everyone over; you can have the basement.”
A: (‘Who are all of these people she keeps referring to?) M: “Better yet, have them over tomorrow and you can all lounge by the pool; wouldn’t that be FUN!!!!?”
A: Blank stare.
That is literally how fast the conversation moves…..and typically without me.
Mom and I ask questions in 3’s and make statements even faster; drives the rest of the world nuts, but that’s how we communicate. And lots of hand gestures – we could have a whole conversation with arms flailing and no actual words. Put it this way: I’ve noticed people pay more attention to my arms flying around than to the words coming out of my mouth – yes, it’s THAT bad!
My mother is one of the most hilarious, genuine, giving people I’ve ever met and I’m so fortunate that we are close and have a fantastic relationship! Every year, she lets me know the day I was due and what she was doing. Then most days after that, and for almost a month until my Birthday, she remembers what she was doing before I arrived. On my Birthday, she recalls the events of her day which apparently include vacuuming and sending my Uncle off to school before going to the hospital. Pretty cool! Everyone should be so lucky……
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY MAMA!!
1 comment:
So sweet!!
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