Mom, Thanks for the Advice

On Mother’s Day I thought it would be appropriate to pass on some of the advice my mom has given me over the years.     She’s given me lots of good advice and I’ve written about what a wonderful mom she’s been to me and my brothers and sisters.   This year however, I’m going to pass on some of the dubious advice she’s given me.    

1.  You don’t want a big diamond ring, someone might cut off  your finger off to steal it.      Oh, really mom?     If someone wants to give me a humungous diamond,  I’ll take my chances.    

2. Keep Working,  Life isn’t supposed to be fun.  I heard this often when I was growing up.  These words of wisdom were usually doled out on the hottest days of summer when I wanted to be at the lake rather than helping make breads, washing dishes, folding clothes or weeding the garden.    Along with this advice usually came:  You should be thankful  you have  hands so you can pull weeds, wash dishes, etc…     I took this as a warning that some tragic accident was likely if I wasn’t thankful I was pulling weeds in 90 degree weather  rather than swimming in cool Cedar Lake.

4. Sing before morning, cry before night.    An old superstitious saying that she passed on.   I never understood it but  I think it might have something to do with keeping a little peace in the morning;  I do understand that.    I prefer to wake up happy now days, a little singing in the morning isn’t a bad way to start a day.

5   Nothing good happens after midnight.   Not true but it was a good way to make me want to stay out after midnight.

6. You’ll understand when you’re older.    This was my mom’s way to avoid answering questions.  She used it often.   Now that I’m older, I still don’t understand.

Happy Mother’s Day