Because of my Mother

Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, recipes are merely suggestions in my kitchen. Only a 1/4 teaspoon of cumin? Nah, I think it needs more. I also blame the recipe for any culinary disasters. It's not my fault! I followed the recipe!

Because of my mother, I build amazing forts out of old bed sheets.

Because of my mother, I use moisturizer with sunscreen.

Because of my mother, I read stories using different voices for each character.



Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, I can watch a movie though my eyelids. I'm not sleeping! I'm listening to the movie and resting my eyes!

Because of my mother, I know the secret to an amazing sandwich is to toast the bread.

Because of my mother, I take pride in little family traditions.

Because of my mother, I obsess about feeding people. Would you like something to eat? No? How about a snack? Are you sure? I can cut up some fruit for you. You're sure you're not a little bit hungry? Oh... alright... here's a sandwich.



This was the only way my mom could get me to eat when I was younger. 
My daughters do the same thing.
I guess acting like a monkey at dinner time comes from my side of the family.
Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, I take clues from my nightly dreams. I also believe I have a very strong sixth sense. I just know when something is wrong or someone is in trouble. I feel it in my bones and I dream about it at night.

Because of my mother, I notice everyone's eyebrows. I also know that one should never change their natural eyebrow shape too much. It'll make you look weird.

Because of my mother, I sing to my kids even though I can't sing.

Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, my kids know the extreme joy of jumping into my bed and pretending the floor is shark infested waters or molten lava.

Because of my mother, I know I fold my bath towels the "wrong way." The way she folds her bath towels so they hang nicely on the towel bar was ingrained into my psyche from an early age, but the way I fold my towels takes up less space in the linen closet. Either way, I think about my mother every time I fold a towel.

Because of my mother, I have a flair for inventing bizarre combinations of bad words when I am really mad.

Because of my mother, I nag my kids AND husband about bringing a jacket in case it gets cold.

Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, I trust my parental instincts.

Because of my mother, I know that sometimes I will screw up as a parent and it's okay. Kids are resilient.

Because of my mother, I leave little love notes on napkins in my daughter's lunch box.

Because of my mother, I am willing to try new things.

Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, I have natural red highlights in my hair.

Because of my mother, I can laugh at myself.

I am who I am, because of my mother.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you.