I am my father’s child…
But I’m turning into my mother.
Years ago, my mom got a card for Halloween that said something to the effect of “Want a fright this Halloween? List the ways you’re like your mother.” This became a running joke between my mom and I that runs to this day. In college, I would find a similarity and tell her that I really needed to start a list because I was beginning to get worried. When I started my first “real” job, I called her almost every day the first two weeks to tell her a new way I had found myself talking to a student and quoting her. Why is this relevant today?
Because I still see ways in which my mother influences my thoughts, my voice and my actions when I am halfway around the world. Whether I am telling someone that their best is all anyone can expect from them or helping a teammate out by stitching a seam in their clothing back together, I often find myself channeling my mother (or at least using what she taught me).
The most recent example of this happened just a few days ago when our squad leader noticed he’d lost a button on his shirt and asked if I knew how to sew one on. After a quizzical look, I noticed he was serious and said what my mom would have, “I can, but better yet, I can teach you how to.”
That response was met with a joke about not wanting to, but the next day the lesson began without argument or complaint. It did not take long to teach, and he was surprised by how easy it was to do. Literally, the end of the lesson was “That’s all? And it’ll stay?” I just smiled as I nodded remembering when I was the one being taught.
Here’s where I admit a bit of snobbery: I forget that people don’t know how to do things like sew a button on anymore. Every time I realize things like this, I am grateful that my mom took the time to teach me. Now, not only can I help out a friend that doesn’t know, but I have the memories of being taught by her… Even if it means I am turning into her a little bit more.
Furthermore, do you want to know the thing I think is cool that will probably embarrass her the most? I don’t really think that list is scary anymore.
Until next time!!
