More thougths about our Mother

this thing, writing, it helps me to calm the incessant voices in my head. I like the permanence of a writing. A thought is fleeting, a conversation can be distored but a writing is authentic. I can have these thoughts, write them down then let them go and move on. Plus I’m having a blast!






More thoughts about our mother.

Everyone is now running to their linen closets to iron pillow cases..... what have I started??? Actually, Patricia got the linen ironing gene. She has always had a passion for ironing. She once said “There is something very calming and wholesome about taking an unrecognizable crumpled up piece of material, sprinkling lavender water on it, passing the iron over its wrinkles while smelling the aroma of fresh smooth lavender steam purifying, breathing new life into it.” I don’t know … I dont get it. She has curly hair so perhaps thats what that whole thing is all about.


But I did the dishes tonight with my mothers presence. I washed every pot until it shined. I polished each glass to perfection and I lovingly put away every knife and fork into their rightful spot in my very orderly silverware drawer. I shined the stove until it looked like it had never had the pleasure of a sloppy meal. And I got on my hands and knees to wipe down the floor making sure that not one crumb would be left behind. Then as I stood there admiring my sparkling kitchen, I rubbed cream on my manicured fingers and took a deep breath of satisfaction knowing that I had done my very best work. I'll sleep well tonight. I haven't left any unfinished business in the sink. This, I have decided is my new years resolution. To do my very best work on anything it is I am doing and to never leave any unfinished business in the sink. In order to do this I will need to carry my mothers presence with me. But not all of her..... She can keep some things to herself…. (Like chasing people around the house with a broom stick threatening their lives)

What I will need will only reveal itself as I grow. . What I don't need I will ignore.

Tonight doing the dishes I was aware of the pride that she must feel for her things, for her environment and most importantly… for herself.
How do we inherit this pride of ownership? Is it that she grew up in poverty, post war, hungry, desperate to stand out in a family of 6 siblings, yearning for the attention of a mother who herself was an orphan, who had seen her family lose everything they owned? Perhaps the strength of your character is born of such beginnings. If that's the case then sisters, we are doomed. There is no way we will ever reach that level of order. We were raised in an environment that begged for nothing. Or did it????

Anyways, next Im setting up an ironing station. Stay tuned... should be Fascinating!!!