From the time we’re pregnant with a baby, we gradually realize motherhood lasts forever. We never discard those attributes that keep popping out whether our child is a toddler, a young adult or middle-aged.
I hand our three-year-old granddaughter a glass of orange juice. Our daughter-in-law, Sandy, reminds her, “Tell Grandma thank you, Katelyn.”
The tot repeats, “Thank you, Grandma.”
A few days later, I’m visiting my eighty-year-old mother. My cousin has left some pictures and newspaper clippings at her house for me to pick up. She hands them to me and says, “Be sure and tell Doris thank you.” As soon as I arrive back home, I make the necessary phone call.
Mom also gave me an envelope containing some money for our state trooper daughter, Lisa, to use for a treat during her upcoming vacation. When I pass the cash along, I add, “Don’t forget to thank your grandmother.” A few days later, Grandma received a picture postcard with a thank you note written on the back from Lisa.
Probably at three, our granddaughter had already learned to thank people for favors. I’m sure it was ingrained in my daughter and me to say thank you for gifts, but, still, the mothers felt a reminder was necessary.
Much of our learning is absorbed from daily living with our mothers–not what they formally teach us. I was shocked the first time I heard my mother’s words come out of my mouth when I was mad at my new husband. While I was growing up, I was a Daddy’s girl, and felt sorry for him when he was the subject of my mother’s wrath. At that time, I didn’t realize how frustrating being married to a man could be.
No matter how old we are, our mothers influence us. I still hear Mom’s voice in my head whenever I am preparing to leave the house, “Go to the bathroom and get a drink.”
What lessons have you learned from your mother?