But wait! There's more!

March 15, 2011

                Had a bad day?  Need a little pick-me-up?  Want to vent?  Need advice?  Call Mom.  She’s always there, willing to talk and support her daughter with suggestions or just a listening ear.  After a day which put me through a trial of trials, all I could think about was calling Mom.  She’d be a great source of comfort no matter what, but the fact that she’s a seasoned, successful teacher makes her advice and communication that much more valid and important.

                I’ve always had a close relationship with my mom.  As a small child, our extended family often referred to me as her wart, monkey, or cling-on.  I loved my mom and felt safest and most confident when I was with her.  When my baby sister was born, at 5 years old, I had a little bit of rebelling to get through before I could adjust to the change.  My weapon? Scissors.  My victims? Couch, blanket, clothing, hair, etc.  After her birth, at least I think, things got better.  I realized I really loved that little baby and that I wasn’t losing my mom after all.

                As I got older and realized I wanted to teach, my mom was the best role model for me.  And, the year I spent one period a day in her room as a Teacher’s Aide, I realized her success in teaching could also be for me.  I chose the best education university in the state, which, unfortunately, was also the furthest of the major universities away from my home, family, and Mom.  My mom got me through that first horribly homesick month of college.  I had a card or letter in my mailbox every single day of the month of September and, when I still hadn’t been “out” with friends, my mom offered me advice which, admittedly, ended up making my college years so fun.  “Go have a wine cooler, Brooke!”  Yes.   My own mother told me to go drink underage.  When I tell that story, most people are a little bit shocked, but mostly impressed.  My mom is real, level-headed, and COOL!

                As a “real-live adult”, I try very hard to keep my life under control.  But, I respect my mom so much, I often find myself not only thinking about what she would say, but actually calling her to hear what she would say.  She and Dad accompanied Jeremy on our house-hunt, she gives financial advice, relationship advice, and career advice.  I’m sure I drive my husband crazy when I say, “Just a second, let me call and ask my mom.”

                So maybe I haven’t changed much from my cling-on 5-year-old self.  I still love talking to her, love her company, and she definitely makes me feel safe and confident.  “So for those pesky days when no one listens, people are rude and mean, and things just don’t go right, call Mom.”

 (P.S. That was my sad attempt at an infomercial on a fab lady, my mom.)