Thursday, January 28, 2010

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.



9 comments:

Lindseys said...

Way to go Brady! Anytime you can melt your mom's heart, you've done well.

What a nice guy.

Derek

Shannon B said...

How cute Stef!! I love that you were melting inside but just gave him a "cool" high five...ha! Hopefully he doesn't read your blog now! Cute reflection shot...I can't quite make it look like you though!! Funny!

Angie Lucas said...

That is such a sweet story! I'd be tempted to act all mushy, so way to go playing it cool. :-)

karensumpter said...

Steve said his parents used to say the same thing when asked what they wanted. They would say, "good kids." What a sweet boy Brady is!

Carolina said...

What a sweetie!!! Even though soon he will be a teenager and sometimes those years are rough, they come around. Nico is finally coming out of that stage and sweetly reminds me I need to take baths to melt my stress and also rubs my shoulders every time when he sees me working hard!!! Enjoy that boy!

Natalie said...

cute cute cute

Kristen said...

Awww! What a great story. Those don't happen very often so when they do we have to make the most of them.

Audrey Pettit said...

Very, very cute post! I can totally relate to your mom's birthday wishes, too. My main "wish" is just for my kids to be happy. :)
Love your mirror photos. I like to do that every once in awhile myself. You made me laugh with the toothpaste. :)

stevet said...

awwww brady! :)