Education can be helpful

Do you remember being a kid and wanting to learn and understand everything?  Did you want to learn everything your parents knew?  Did they teach you? 

The problem with teaching a kid, is they already know everything.  No one can tell you anything.  And dear god, from your parents, that is like telling a kid to give up music.  Learning from parents is a fate worse than death, or so kids think.  Your parents are "Old", how could they teach you anything.  They don't know anything and they are so old, how could they remember if they had known!!!  Funny the things you think when your young.  I bet now that my kids are grown, they have begun to think that, I am not as stupid as they once thought.

As a kid, I was lucky.  My mother was a whiz at a lot of different things that, over the years she has passed on to me.  She taught me to sew.  I can remember the first "shift" I made.  I was so proud.  It was by far the ugliest thing I have ever seen, but I made it with my own hands.  I wore it proudly.  You would not catch me dead in a dress like that now, but I was proud of my accomplishment. 

She taught me to knit and crochette.  I have more blankets, scarves, and throws than anyone I know.  It is nice though to be able to make things for people.  My favourite is the baby blanket and no two are alike.  People seem very appreciative of something that you took the time to make just for them.   I can remember the first time I set out to make a sweater.  My husband, the good man that he is, did not say anything when he tried on the pink and grey thing that I called a sweater.  Lordy, lordy the sleeves where made not for humans but for, oh say a gorrilla.  Needless to say he did not wear it other than just for the fitting.  I felt stupid, but he said it was the thought that counted.  I still have the sweater.  You never know when a gorilla might come by needing another coat.

She taught me to cook.  I can make a gourmet meal or chili from scratch, as well as anything in between.  I am not much of a fan of pre packaged processed food.   I love to bake.  Cookies, cakes, pastries, everything except pies.  My pies have been used as frisbees more than once.  I just don't have the knack for pie dough, but I keep trying. 

She taught me to keep house and care for a family.  This turned out to be very helpful when she was hurt and in a body cast for an extended period of time.  I helped the best I could.  My mom has been through lots in her life.  Loss of her father, mother, step father, sister and brother, as well as many other shirttail relatives.  You see her mother came from a family of 13 kids.  We have a lot of extended family.   She is the one that always shows up to help when something happens.   She is your friend with the neverending supply of hugs and food. 

My mom is one of my best friends.  People say we sound alike.  I don't hear it, but I guess they are right, on numerous occasions I have answered her phone and people talk like they know me.  Funny, I have to ask them if they want to talk to mom.  They usually laugh and say "you sound just like her".    I try and talk to her at least a few times a week.  I miss being able to go to her house when something is bothering me and get advice (2000 miles is a long way).   It is strange that you don't know what you have, until its not there(being so far apart).  I miss having her next door.  

We have all moved far from home.  I know that mom misses us as much as we do her.  We try to call each other often, but life in general gets in the way sometimes.  Mom and Dad try to come and see each of us throughout the year.   I know that when they come to see me, it is a big undertaking.  You see they live in Canada and I am in the United States.  Between passports, medical insurance, plane tickets and long trips to and from the airport, it is not much fun.  I do however love it when they come to visit, especially because while here, Mom always makes me "Butter tarts" my favourite.  I miss her.  I wish we were closer.   Maybe some day soon we will live closer.   You see, at some point I want her to know that I will be there.   Not that I think she will need me..  I just want her to know that should that time come, I will be proud to finally be able to return the favour and take care of her.