Dear Mom,
I was thumbing through a magazine and
found this list of “mom rules” that someone wrote. I thought they were pretty
good and most of them were ones that you had taught me either by telling me or
by doing. I thought you would enjoy the list.
My mother’s 15 simple rules
By Ana Marie Cox
1. The legs are the last thing to go.
2. When you’re sad, don’t fight it –
accessorize it. Get some gin and cigarettes, then play Edith Piaf until the CD
starts to skip.
3. Knowing how to roast red peppers will
impress more people than you’d think.
4. It’s ok to read at the table.
5. But it’s never ok to watch tv at the
table.
6. You can always substitute white wine
for vermouth in a martini.
7. Everything tastes better if it’s
served by candlelight.
8. If nothing matches, no matter. That’s
just another reason for candlelight.
9. Do not try to order in French at a
French restaurant unless you are French.
10. Unexpected gifts are the most
appreciated.
11. At work, find the people who can fix
things – the copier, mistakes in your expense report – and then be very, very
nice to them.
12. The cheap caviar is still quite good.
13. There are five things that will
always make you happy if you have them in your home: flowers, a lovely place to
eat a meal, a chilled bottle of white wine, Goldfish crackers, and a cat.
14. If you must leave a party and you
don’t have a good excuse, spill something on yourself.
15. The proper way to end a conversation
is “I’m sorry to let you go.”
So as I read through this list, I
wondered who the heck Edith Piaf was…..and then I started thinking about the
things that you had taught me. And I came up with my own list.
My Mom’s simple rules and important
lessons
1. A box of Kraft Mac and Cheese is a
great comfort meal in a pinch.
2. A Kleenex in your robe pocket is
surprisingly handy.
3. Sitting at the kitchen table after
school and letting your kids talk about their day will be one of their fondest
memories.
4. I still think of myself as a “summer”
and to this day, those are my favorite colors to wear.
5. Your face is not finished until you
put on lipstick.
6. A well wrapped present is more fun to
give.
7. Herbs make just about everything
taste better.
8. Expect to be treated well by your
husband. Because you are worth it. Period.
9. Watch what you eat while you are
newly pregnant, because by the 9th month you aren’t going to give a
shit.
10. Quality time is bogus. Kids need you
when THEY need you and that is rarely at a convenient time.
11. Do not sacrifice having a family for
a career.
12. The smallest thing on your body is
your wrists…and I used to kind of laugh at that comment. Now I’m not laughing
so much.
13. Good champagne…really good champagne
is really good.
14. It is just easier to make sure there
is the same number of gifts for all the kids.
15. There is not a rule that says you
have to show your family everything you bought on your shopping spree. In fact
it is better if you don’t.
16. Everything tastes better with nuts.
I’m sure I could go on and on because
I have learned a lot and carried many of your lessons with me on my own Mom
journey. But I wanted to just say thank you for all the great advice. And tell
you on this Mother’s day that I appreciate you and love you. I hope we can
drink really good champagne together again really soon.
Love,
wen