Pointers from an Employed Mom
When I was a boy, my mother went back to work and my dad stayed at home. Mom worried that we would not survive without her, so she left us reminders … everywhere!
Inside the cupboard, a note said, “TOO MANY SNACKS WILL SPOIL DINNER.” In the refrigerator, notes on the sirloin steaks said, “FOR DINNER,” on the green beans, “PLEASE BOIL,” and on the soy sauce, “FOR SALTY FLAVOR.” A note that said, “USE FOIL IN THE PAN WHEN YOU BROIL THE MEAT” was on the stove. The same note was in the drawer with the foil.
On the back door were three notes: for Dad to remember to oil the squeaking hinge, for me to coil the hose after watering the garden, and for all of us to wipe the soil off our feet before coming inside.
When she ran out of short reminders to point out on notes, she began to send postcards with more details. She told my sister to avoid waiting until late to do homework. She sent me one to say not to annoy my sister or make too much noise, and to help her with homework. She even sent a postcard to the dog! She asked him to please just chew his toys instead of destroying the furniture.
I missed my mom when she went back to work, but with all the notes, it was like she was still there … everywhere!