Mom’s Rules
1. Don’t lie
2. Be independent
3. Ask me first
Snuggling in mom’s “nook” and watching the Channel 5 news embodied the perfect morning in my childhood. At night, I perched on the glass kitchen table, watching her do what she does best: cook. During these times, mom rambled on, teaching me life lessons I promised to never forget. From what not to wear, to why my classmates were so sassy, to how to pick the perfect husband, mom exemplified a walking encyclopedia. Of all the lessons taught, she had three rules "to live by" she constantly instilled in my head. First, never lie. Don’t lie when I’m scared of the truth, don’t lie when I’m unsure, don’t lie when I’m nervous. The truth is the most valuable entity a person can possess. Second, remain independent. Be independent financially, physically, emotionally. Be my own person. Always have a way out. Last, and most important: ask mom first. I had no issue with the first, no problem with the second, but way too much trouble with the third. Through my childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood, asking mom for permission seemed to always pose a burden. When younger, my everlasting imagination usually had me “in the blue chair” more often than not. Through grade school, I gradually learned mom’s limit yet remained still innocent on what “crossing the line" meant. In high school, mom realized my innocence was not so true anymore. I was a sass and an expert at avoiding the truth and finding "back doors” to every situation. Isn’t it funny how apologizing is so much easier than asking first and being told no?
1. Don’t lie
2. Be independent
3. Ask me first
Snuggling in mom’s “nook” and watching the Channel 5 news embodied the perfect morning in my childhood. At night, I perched on the glass kitchen table, watching her do what she does best: cook. During these times, mom rambled on, teaching me life lessons I promised to never forget. From what not to wear, to why my classmates were so sassy, to how to pick the perfect husband, mom exemplified a walking encyclopedia. Of all the lessons taught, she had three rules "to live by" she constantly instilled in my head. First, never lie. Don’t lie when I’m scared of the truth, don’t lie when I’m unsure, don’t lie when I’m nervous. The truth is the most valuable entity a person can possess. Second, remain independent. Be independent financially, physically, emotionally. Be my own person. Always have a way out. Last, and most important: ask mom first. I had no issue with the first, no problem with the second, but way too much trouble with the third. Through my childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood, asking mom for permission seemed to always pose a burden. When younger, my everlasting imagination usually had me “in the blue chair” more often than not. Through grade school, I gradually learned mom’s limit yet remained still innocent on what “crossing the line" meant. In high school, mom realized my innocence was not so true anymore. I was a sass and an expert at avoiding the truth and finding "back doors” to every situation. Isn’t it funny how apologizing is so much easier than asking first and being told no?
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