Three things I learned from my mom:
1. Be a good homemaker.
Mom had a saying, "Keep your dishes done and your beds made and everyone will think you're a good housekeeper." There's definitely some truth in that. If your kitchen is clean, and your bedroom tidy, the rest of the house can be a disaster, but it doesn't look as bad somehow.
My mom was an exceptional housekeeper. We always had a picture-perfect, well organized, tidy home, but mom was more than a housekeeper, she was truly a homemaker. From delicious food, to wonderful holidays, she made our house a warm, comforting, fun place to be.
2. Value friendships.
My mom kept in touch with all her friends, from newly found friends to childhood and high school chums, she always made phone calls, sent cards, and took time to visit her friends.
She and her best friend from childhood kept up a monthly family dinner night for as long as I can remember. They would take turns as to who's house we would go to, but once a month I could count on us having dinner with Pattie Anne and her family.
3. Enjoy your children.
Mom truly enjoyed being with us. From regaling us with stories of our babyhood, to cheering and supporting us through each awkward stage of growing up, she was our rock, and she let us know that we were her greatest gifts.
Now for three things I've learned from my kids:
1. Lighten up and be goofy.
Don't worry so much of what people are thinking, just have fun!
2. Don't make assumptions about genetics or gender.
Everyone's unique and full of surprises! That little boy wasn't a handfull, but that little girl sure was! And just because two people look very much alike, their personalities will each develop differently.
3. Always put people before things.
Nothing (no thing) can replace time spent together.
Which brings me to my all time favorite mommy-baby poem:
Rock A Bye by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep,
I'm rocking my babies, and babies don't keep!
Even though my babies aren't babies anymore, this poem still reminds me to treasure the time I have with them, and that other things can wait. I wouldn't be a mother without them, and that's the greatest gift I've ever been given!
2 comments:
I really enjoyed your Three Things...
so so true! Babies do not keep.
Somedays that's a blessing
and others,
well, not so much.
I loved my babies infinitely.
I love these reflections about your mother and things you've learned about motherhood. It makes me want to think about things I hope my children will remember about me. I can't think of any so I'd better start developing some good habits.
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