Happy Mother's Day to everyone
out there who has ever had a mother.
Below is a post that I wrote for my mother four years ago. A lot has changed since then as my mother has gone from being independent to living in a nursing home. However, the things she taught me and the way they shaped me has not changed.
Happy Mother's Day
When I think about my mother and what she taught me, my head spins because the list seems endless. She taught me how to measure a cup of flour with the straight edge of a butter knife and the dying art of ironing a shirt. I know how to treat a fever and plan a menu thanks to her tutoring.
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| A table I helped lash at Girl Scout camp. |
And when she didn't know how to do something herself, she made sure that I learned in other ways. She took me to swimming lessons and clarinet lessons. That says a lot for someone who was afraid of the water and wanted to wear earplugs during my early music instruction. Thanks to her, I know how to lash a table out of branches and I don't think that's something she learned in nursing school. I think the 23 years she dedicated to being a Girl Scout leader had something to do with that.
However if I have to pick one thing that she taught me, I think the most important is respect for others and especially the elderly. When I was growing up, we had several older people in our neighborhood.
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| Mrs. Craft, one of the neighbors I visited growing up. |
We regularly took food to them and just visited—sitting on the couch and talking. It wasn't always easy for me, but I learned how important it was over time. I hope that I have taught this respect to my children as well.
So, Mother, when I can't be there to take you some food and just sit on the couch and visit, I want you to know that you've got one* grateful daughter wishing you a Happy Mother's Day.
*Actually, I've got three sisters, so my mother has four grateful daughters this Mother's Day.
That's lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lili. Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day.
DeleteWhat a nice tribute. I'd like to hear more about lashing a table out of branches. Wow!
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day to you!
I learned about lashing in Girl Scouts. The first thing we did when setting up a camp site for either day camp or overnight camp was lash a table. We would find two trees fairly close together and the find two long branches to go along each side. Then we would find cross pieces to go across to form the table top. All of these branches would be lashed together with rope--usually balers twine. It was a fairly easy thing to do and just required the knots of a clove hitch and square knot and basic lashing. You can see it in the picture.
DeleteAfter the table, the next thing we would set up would be a hand washing station. That would consist of a bleach jug filled with water and we would put a hole near the bottom where the water would come out with gravity feed. We'd plug this hole with a twig. The jug would be hanging from a branch of a tree along with a hanging bar of soap.
Next would be digging a hole to build a fire in for cooking. But, I've probably told you already more than you want to know.
I love camping and learning about rustic camping. Did you have to dig a latrine? I remember doing that at a summer camp (we had an overnight sleep-outdoors-cook-over-a-fire experience) but I refused to use it and waited till we got back to camp to use their facilities.
DeleteOne year we tried to dig a latrine but was never able to get it as deep as it should be because we were always hitting rocks. We used it anyway and called it the "Rock Pot".
DeleteSweet tribute to your mom.
ReplyDeleteShe really did teach me a lot. I am lucky to have her.
DeleteWhat a lovely post. I am so lucky to still have my mother who was 95 in March. Our Mother's Day in Britain is tied into Easter so is on a different date every year.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to still have your mother with you at 95. You come from a good set of genes.
DeleteI just looked up Mother's Day for Britain and see that it is the fourth Sunday in Lent. And yesterday, I met someone from Norway who celebrated Mother's Day in February. I've never really thought about Mother's Day around the world.
Happy Belated Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nathalie. Hope you had a good Mother's Day, also.
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