It's Funny How That Works

   Growing up, I remember constantly teasing my Mom about her numerous pet peeves, habits, mannerisms, and ridiculously high cleaning standards (or so I thought). Luckily, she was an incredible sport and for the most part was always able to laugh off the jokes at her expense. It is all of these little things that I used to laugh about that I remember most vividly today.

"What is your plan for today?"

   I find myself constantly needing to make "to-do lists" for everything; a practice I swore up and down as a child that I would never do. Mom taught me the importance of organization and cleanliness. It is this skill that has led to my ability to prioritize my life and achieve exponentially more than anyone else my age. Without her constant reminders to write my schedule out on the family calendar and create a plan of attack for the day, I would likely lose track of the 1000 things I always have on the go (another habit I picked up that I'll write about one day). This is my long overdue, "Thank you Mom" for being persistent in your mission to convert me into a list maker!

"Oh you think that's clean? Let me check for you?"
   That was the dreaded phrase my Mom would present to me after every chore I did for the first 17 years of my life. I'm sure my Mom was not the only clean freak out here, but I would gladly place money on my mom if there was a competition out there. There were numerous occasions where she would get down on her hands and knees to wipe the floor for dust or dare me to "give it a lick if it's really clean". For as much as it drove me crazy growing up, today I am without a doubt my Mothers son in this aspect. I owe her a sarcastic thank you for setting such a ridiculously high standard of clean that it is now impossible for me to find a suitable room mate. You could have payed us a surprise visit at any time of day and find our place looking like an immaculate show home. One thing is for sure, the day I drive my kids crazy with the infamous "clean check" I will be thinking of Mom.

Don't bother fighting it...
   Despite some of my best efforts and promises that I would never be the same, it's funny how in the end we all end up being more like our Moms than we thought possible. Even though I enjoyed teasing Mom at every chance I got, I am now grateful for everything that she was. I admired so many things about her and still to this day am learning lessons from her by reliving the memories. I was and always will be so incredibly proud of the woman who raised me. Even if it means I'm sometimes late for things because I can't leave the house until it's perfect. Who doesn't love coming home to a perfect home? Much like having a perfectly made bed to slip into at the end of a long hard day (another habit I swore I'd never adopt).

You still make me smile everyday...in so many little ways. I love you Mom.


Do you have any good memories? Share them with me in the comments below or by emailing me at TheMommasBoy@hotmail.ca. I would love to start posting other people stories here.