By Kim Anderson
My mom was just here for a visit. She can fold a fitted sheet better than anyone I know. In fact, I’d bet she could kick Martha Stewart’s butt in an official fitted sheet folding contest. She doesn’t simply roll it up into some kind of ball type thing and throw it into the closet… no… she folds the sheet with 90 degree corners and straight lines and no evidence of a wrinkle. And she does it with ease. Now, she has tried to teach me the art of folding a fitted sheet over the years with the first lesson at the age of 12. But still at 37, I have not come even close to mastering the technique. My mom is amazing. She can do these things that I cannot and I imagine I won’t ever be able to do.
The thing I’ve learned about me and my mom that’s probably not so unique, is that I idolize some of the things she does yet no one on earth seems to be able to find my buttons faster. “No mom… really, you don’t need to reorganize the pots and pans cabinet. Ahh… do you think we could save the chocolate cookies for the kids until after lunch? Its Asian… not Oriental. Mom… you’re mumbling again. No, I DO eat salad now… you must be thinking of me when I was 10. Well, we haven’t fully decided on a the vasectomy route yet but… why are we discussing this?”
As I was saying… a relationship between a mother and daughter is a special complicated thing. In the same minute a mother makes you feel like you are incapable of doing anything right she makes you feel like you can conquer the world. It’s a delicate balance of idolization and complete annoyance. However, the fact remains my mother is my mirror and I hope I grow up to be like her. My kids would be lucky if I’m half the woman she is. And for that…I feel grateful. I also feel grateful my mom is there to try to teach me (among other things) how to fold that damn fitted sheet.
Kim Anderson is a new stay at home Mom of three. She recently “retired” from her desk job as the Development Director for Youth Homes Inc. Currently, Kim spends her days taking care of her three children and pursuing her passion in art. She is also currently volunteering to write a blog called, The Reluctant Runner as a member of the YHI Run 4 Kids Team that will participate in the Missoula Marathon on July 11, 2010.
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This is sooooo true. And I know the day will come when my daughter decides that I’m crazy. Thanks for writing about this.
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