Oh my God! I have become my mother. Strange that not so long ago she was a complete idiot, but now she is the wisest of wise. Sad, it took my twenty eight years to discover that.
I used to make fun of her frugal shopping and comparing prices. “Just buy it,” I would say. Now, I find myself in the grocery store comparing prices, in the thrift stores looking for bargains, and telling the pricy items to “sit and rot.” Often, I would wonder why she was so concerned with cutting the lights off when we left a room. Now that I have an electric bill…cutting unused lights off isn't so idiotic. When I would see her rolling coins, I would turn my nose up that she would actually go in a store with a roll of dimes and not be embarrassed. Funny, my last pair of shoes were bought with three rolls of quarters….off the sale rack none the less. I cracked jokes as she stood holding a paper towel waiting to open a public bathroom door. “Just open it already” I would laugh ,then rip past her and swing it open. Germy bathroom doors are now opened with the paper towel.
I find myself doing more and more things that I used to mock. However, there were some things I never mocked. I watched, but never understood her selflessness. Often, when we went shopping she would put her items back just so that I could get the expensive things I wanted. At the time that sacrifice was seen, but never appreciated. She still does that. She took time to carry me places and introduce me to new things. Her schedule was never too busy for me. It never dawned on me that a lot of moms care more about their own social lives than spending time with their children. She still does that too. When I talked , she listened. My mother is the only person who has ever given me one hundred percent attention. Again, many mothers hear, but don't listen. She still does this one as well.
Now that I have a daughter, I see all these things with clarity. I appreciate them and inspire to posses the traits I often mocked. So, thank you.
