Mothers and Kids

I remember when I was a kid and it was Christmas or Mom's birthday and we would ask her what she wanted and she would reply with a irritatingly boring (read; hard, or next to impossible) answer like, "I just want my kids to get along with each other." or "I want everybody to be happy and healthy." I always thought it was just a line, another way to jab at us, a phrase to remind us that we hadn't been getting along, or at the very best, a way to nicely tell us that what she really wanted was out of our price range so just suck it up and be nice to your sister. But you know what? Now that I'm a mom, I've realized that moms mean stuff like this. When acted upon, it means the world to our seeming unmaterialistic lives.

Case in point. After church a couple of weeks ago I went up stairs to change my clothes and there was note on my mirror written on a post-it note. All it said was "Thank You." I recognized the writing as Brady's. I asked him what the thank you note was for. He looked embarrassed and acted like he didn't write it. I persisted. He half admitted to writing it but still wouldn't fess up about the reason. I told him, with a wink, that it didn't matter, that I'll just take it as, "Thanks mom for EVERYTHING you do. I know you work hard for us and I really appreciate it." After a few guffaws from nearby siblings he ended the torturous spotlight and said it was thanks for me giving him a hand massage during Sacrament Meeting. Aww, be still my heart. This was the sweetest thing. I was melting inside but gave him a high-five and said, "Well you're welcome, anytime." After all I didn't want to get too mushy, he might never leave me another note. I went straight up to take a picture though so I'd have a memory of it incase the high-five showed too much motherly interest, and therefore deterring any further post-it note communications. Of course, even 10 days later that note is still stuck to my mirror. I love looking at it and thinking about it.

Now you all know what to get me for my birthday - a simple yellow, sticky paper with 2 short words written on it. (of course it may not have the same impact this one did - no offense or anything, I just have this feeling)

SIDE NOTE: While I was there I took a couple of bathroom reflection shots, that I seem to have an affinity for. Here's two I liked. I was having trouble with the focusing due to the bright windows behind me and the toothpaste spots on the mirror (see, not to proud to admit it). I didn't try too hard on this particular day cuz I was hungry and I knew there were pot stickers cooking downstairs. I'm gonna have to practice again another time after I clean my mirror, put cords away and have my blood sugar at a respectable level. Something about the blurry is a bit appealing to me though. It seems raw and unplanned I guess. I think I even like the toothpaste spots... hmm, or maybe it just a way to procrastinate actually cleaning them off.