Matt
ex-m@Triate
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2005
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Inspired by a few threads lately, ranging from Zach's family traditions, to a couple of 'they ruined my life' threads, thought I would start a thread on the greatest lessons we got from our parents.
For me, one stands out. By way of background, my father died when I was 15, so from there on, it was in my mother's hands.
I remembered this little incident about six months ago, when an old high school friend was visiting Vietnam, and think it is really one of the best life lessons I have ever had.
So my school used to do a swimming carnival every year. Sports day in the pool basically. I hated it and pulled a typically 17 yr old hissy fit to avoid going. "Buuut muuum, it's a waste of time, and exams are coming, and I think I should just be studying instead of wasting a day at the aquatic center". This of course, was complete ****, I just wanted to go hang out at the mall with my friends.
Eventually I whined my way to her acquiescence, and went to the mall with my mates.
The next day, I show up at school with the letter from my mother, hand it in at home room along with the pile from the rest of them, and feeling pretty proud of my day off.
I get called into home room teacher's office at the end of the day, he has a stack of letters there from all the other kids who skipped the swimming carnival, basically all saying "Steven was unable to attend because he had a cold" or "Michael was unable to attend because he had an upset stomach".
The teacher hands my mother's letter over, asks me to explain. I unfold it, see her handwriting:
"That *****"
The teacher was looking back at me in awe of my mother.
I got detention.
I went home and screamed the house down that night..."how could you, jesus christ, simmo's mother just said he had a cold, what the hell is wrong with you" etc etc.
She just looked at me and said "don't ever ask me to make excuses for your decisions".
--
OK...that's my mother...hand it over to the gallery...best parental lessons...take it away.
For me, one stands out. By way of background, my father died when I was 15, so from there on, it was in my mother's hands.
I remembered this little incident about six months ago, when an old high school friend was visiting Vietnam, and think it is really one of the best life lessons I have ever had.
So my school used to do a swimming carnival every year. Sports day in the pool basically. I hated it and pulled a typically 17 yr old hissy fit to avoid going. "Buuut muuum, it's a waste of time, and exams are coming, and I think I should just be studying instead of wasting a day at the aquatic center". This of course, was complete ****, I just wanted to go hang out at the mall with my friends.
Eventually I whined my way to her acquiescence, and went to the mall with my mates.
The next day, I show up at school with the letter from my mother, hand it in at home room along with the pile from the rest of them, and feeling pretty proud of my day off.
I get called into home room teacher's office at the end of the day, he has a stack of letters there from all the other kids who skipped the swimming carnival, basically all saying "Steven was unable to attend because he had a cold" or "Michael was unable to attend because he had an upset stomach".
The teacher hands my mother's letter over, asks me to explain. I unfold it, see her handwriting:
My jaw dropped.Dear Mr. NAME:
Matthew was unwilling to attend the swimming carnival because he believed it to be "a total waste of his time".
Best
Pauline
"That *****"
The teacher was looking back at me in awe of my mother.
I got detention.
I went home and screamed the house down that night..."how could you, jesus christ, simmo's mother just said he had a cold, what the hell is wrong with you" etc etc.
She just looked at me and said "don't ever ask me to make excuses for your decisions".
--
OK...that's my mother...hand it over to the gallery...best parental lessons...take it away.