1. When you return a plate, a dish, or a piece of tupperware, never return it empty.
2. Be kind. When I was about 4, I referred to some man we’d just passed in the grocery store aisle as, “that big fat man in the red shirt over there”… (insert sound of wheels screeching to a halt). My mother stopped the cart to scold me, THEN told me that the man had overheard what I’d said about him and was already out in his car crying… which of course, he hadn’t, but at that moment, as a large toddler, somehow I understood the weight that my words carried, and was completely distraught over having hurt that man’s feelings. And so one regular Tuesday night in 1985 at Kroger, my mom – the most compassionate woman who ever lived – taught me an invaluable lesson: to always, always be mindful of other peoples’ feelings.
3. When you’re using the broiler, ALWAYS set the oven timer, because otherwise you’ll inevitably forget whatever’s in there and torch it. My mom is a great cook, but she does love to set garlic bread on fire. It’s on page 1 in her playbook.
4. Compassion. My mother has the biggest heart of anyone I know. She cries when other people cry, loves taking care of people, and would do anything she could to help anyone – even if she didn’t know them.
5. When you’re 3 and you absolutely MUST eat butter out of the Country Crock tub and use your hand as a scoop, go hide in the closet and do it. Don’t do it while you’re sitting cross-legged on top of the kitchen table and not expect to get busted.
6. My mother always tells me that I should never beat around the bush or play games. “What’s the point?” she says. “Be honest and tell people how you feel.” And so I do. I don’t know how well that really bodes for my game, but whatever.
7. My mom appreciates the beauty in small things more than anyone I know. A cool, Indian summer day… a clear blue sky… swinging on a porch swing… or watching trees sway in the wind. I’m very grateful to have inherited that from her.
8. No one on earth can make you feel better when you’re sick than your mother. Bless her heart, when I had reconstructive knee surgery in college, my mom flew down and gave my 19-year old ass sponge baths, cleaned up my vomit, and packed ice around my knee in the middle of the night. And like a 5-year old, I sobbed (and then sobbed some more) when she left. To this day, when I’m sad, sick, run-down, or hurt, all I really want is my mom. And she’s always there.
Love you, Jaynie! You’re the best.
xoxo,
*photo credits: (First and last are personal photos). (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5b) – Pinterest. (6) and (7) – unknown. (8) Photo by Jessica Todd Harper.
