Not only was Mom a list-maker, but she was a note-writer too. We didn't have cell phones when I was growing up, so if someone left the house when no one was home, we had to leave notes indicating where we were, and when we'd be back. For example, if no one was home when I got home from school, I could look on the kitchen table and find out where everyone was. Cell phones may be more efficient, but they aren't as personal. Seeing Mom's handwritten note saying, "Went to the grocery store. Be back in 30 minutes. Love, Mom" says exactly what I say in my text messages to my daughters, but texting, "Love, Mom" just doesn't have the same feeling as seeing the loop of the "L" and the curve of the "M."
If Mom had to work on a Saturday during the school year, she'd leave notes on the counter instructing my sister and me of the chores we needed to complete before she got home. Not completing these tasks wasn't even an option, and I felt a sense of accomplishment being able to check things off my to-do list. I use these chore lists too sometimes w/ my daughters. I find them much more efficient than texting the girls repeatedly w/ reminders of what they need to do. So even w/ the advances of texting technology, I still rely on Mom's method of note-writing to be more thorough and compelling.
No comments:
Post a Comment