If there was one line that could sum up what I have been taught my whole life, this might be it. And I don't mean taught in the sense of a formal lesson, but more in the sense of learning from example.
I'm a good cook. A really good cook. And if you asked me, I would tell you I learned from my mom and my grandmother. My grandmother was a fantastic cook. No one turned down a meal prepared by Nettie Moore. And even though I claimed to "learn" from my mom and my grandmother they never declared a time to "teach me to cook". Instead, I learned my whole life from them, sitting on the kitchen counter in my grandmother's house, watching what she was doing, or standing at the kitchen sink doing the dishes while mom worked on dinner. They never woke up one morning with the mission of teaching me to cook. Many of my strongest childhood memories are associated with time in my grandmother's kitchen. Even though it's been years since I stepped foot in her kitchen (the house has long since been sold and is no longer in the family) I can distinctly remember each detail about it from the mushroom ceramic canisters (remnents of the 70s) to the formica counter tops and even the view out the kitchen window. Maybe that's why my own kitchen is so important to me.
Just as my kitchen skills were developed from being immersed in a culture of food and love, my own personal strength has been developed from observation of character in action. Being an Army wife has its challenges and I often hear the comment "I just don't know how you do it" referencing a deployment or seperation or yet another move. My typical response is "I just do it. There's not really another option." But when I stop to think about it, I know exactly how I do it. I do it because I was taught to do it. Not in the sense of a formal lesson, but taught by example from observing my own mother "just do it".
You see, my mom taught me to follow your husband wherever his job leads because she has followed my dad's many job transfers all over Texas. Now I follow my husband wherever the Army sends us. My mom taught me you do whatever you have to when your kids are involved. Now I spend 6-7 evenings a week at baseball diamonds and soccer fields and in my car running from one practice or class to another. My mom taught me to put one foot in front of the other when you really don't feel like it as she got up and went to work while taking chemo during her first battle with cancer. Now, even when I feel like garbage, I get up and go. My mom taught me that discipline and order still reigns, even when dad is working. Now I run my house with order and discipline, even when my husband has to be away for long periods of time. My mom taught me that giving back to your community is important when she spent hours working with the Optimist Club, Band Boosters or the church kitchen. Now I spend my extra time serving other military families around me. My mom is teaching me that even when cancer seems to be winning, that you continue to fight. It might change the speed at which you live, but it doesn't change the what is important to you. But most importantly, my mom taught me what it means to be strong, and that when you don't feel strong, you draw your strength from the love of your family. Nothing is impossible with that.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you.
"My mother with my kids during her visit to Germany, where we were stationed."
No comments:
Post a Comment