Lessons From My Grandmother
(Another old post from a different blog. It's rather poignant now.)
1) Don't trust the thermometer. In other words, use your senses and you'll know.
2) There are stories your parents didn't tell you, and some of the stories they told you they got wrong. These stories are worth hearing.
3) The right hand ring was around long before DeBeers trademarked the phrase.
4) It's not the end of the world if your hair is not freshly washed.
5) A person needs meaningful work. For some women that doesn't mean staying home and caring for children. For some women ironing is boring. Don't judge the women who choose not to stay home and mother 24/7. Don't judge the women who do.
6) There is time to be patient, whether you die young or die old.
7) Friends are more important than you think. Take time to cultivate friendships and keep up with old friends. Never tell yourself that there isn't time; we need friends as much as we need family.
8) Things don't really change all that much. Way back when girls decided to wear the same thing to school on the same day; couples got divorced; women worked; elders were shocked; people had housecleaners; teens drank alcohol, smoked, drove too fast, and got pregnant. Technology changes; people really don't.
9) Do what you need to do to keep your family healthy, with strong ties. Love your children unconditionally and accept them for who they are. Don't lose sight of the big picture while fighting over bed times, dirty hands, and too-loud music. You are tending the saplings that will grow to protect you in your old age.
10) Frugality will win in the end...unless you are fabulously wealthy from the beginning you'd better learn the skills you need to get you through the lean years, and to take you into retirement. Let people laugh when you cut corners, let them say you're cheap, and take comfort in a paid-for house and adequate retirement savings.
11) Give of yourself. Donate your time and talents. Get involved, because you can make a difference.
12) You will hold your child's hand, and your grandchild's hand, and the time will come when you need them to hold yours. It's precious.
2) There are stories your parents didn't tell you, and some of the stories they told you they got wrong. These stories are worth hearing.
3) The right hand ring was around long before DeBeers trademarked the phrase.
4) It's not the end of the world if your hair is not freshly washed.
5) A person needs meaningful work. For some women that doesn't mean staying home and caring for children. For some women ironing is boring. Don't judge the women who choose not to stay home and mother 24/7. Don't judge the women who do.
6) There is time to be patient, whether you die young or die old.
7) Friends are more important than you think. Take time to cultivate friendships and keep up with old friends. Never tell yourself that there isn't time; we need friends as much as we need family.
8) Things don't really change all that much. Way back when girls decided to wear the same thing to school on the same day; couples got divorced; women worked; elders were shocked; people had housecleaners; teens drank alcohol, smoked, drove too fast, and got pregnant. Technology changes; people really don't.
9) Do what you need to do to keep your family healthy, with strong ties. Love your children unconditionally and accept them for who they are. Don't lose sight of the big picture while fighting over bed times, dirty hands, and too-loud music. You are tending the saplings that will grow to protect you in your old age.
10) Frugality will win in the end...unless you are fabulously wealthy from the beginning you'd better learn the skills you need to get you through the lean years, and to take you into retirement. Let people laugh when you cut corners, let them say you're cheap, and take comfort in a paid-for house and adequate retirement savings.
11) Give of yourself. Donate your time and talents. Get involved, because you can make a difference.
12) You will hold your child's hand, and your grandchild's hand, and the time will come when you need them to hold yours. It's precious.
Comments