Dishes and Laundry!

At three years old my Mommy told me to wash the dishes.  Hah, I thought to myself as I cannot reach the sink and proudly explained that to my Mother.  She replied “pull a kitchen chair up to the sink and then you are all set.”  That was not the answer I was looking for, but did what I was told.  The same with laundry – pull a chair up and do the laundry, “oh and when you fold make sure to fold end to end and the fitted sheets call Mama on how to fold correctly.”  I did as I was told, not happy but I did it.  

After a long day at school I quickly said hi and ran as report card came.  Mommy said “come here Danielle, all A’s, but science is a B – please explain.”  I replied “well science is tricky.”  She replied “is it tricky or you didn’t study?”  She had an answer for everything. 

Growing up was the same thing, Mother pushing me and expecting everything – she was so demanding. 

Sunday morning, September 04, 2011, Labor Day weekend I listened as the paramedic told me “I am so sorry, if there was anything we could do we would, but she passed in her sleep around 6am.”  I thanked her and looked at my Father who I saw cry for the first time in my lifetime.  I knew I had my hands full with him without Mommy.  He was a hardworking selfless man who essentially went from his Mother to my Mother – always “mothered” and taken care of.   He simply worked and was given an allowance from Mother – the man didn’t even know how to write a check as he was always “Mothered.”   

Brother and I came together and took care of Dad, all of his health issues and bills paid on time for Him. 

Reflecting back those dishes, laundry and the B on my report card were not of my Mother being demanding at all, she simply set me up for life.  I grew up on September 04, 2011 and was able to handle anything and everything because she was so demanding during my childhood. 

Now we had many happy times, it was not all my Mother being a hard ass as this writing portrays, but the point is just that.  My Mother incorporated her skill at raising children while providing love and countless happy times. 

I still make mistakes, but my Mother’s iron fist still remains and I get through.   My Brother and I are a product of two love birds who taught us well, so instead of crying today – while I miss you Mommy and Daddy (now) – I celebrate the dishes and laundry as I was taught to handle anything! 

And my Mother never could fold a fitted sheet, but I can because my Mama taught me and I listened.