She came to mind today when I realized I don't have underwear. My clothes-drawer is almost empty and what remains is falling apart, having been purchased when Reagan was President.
Before my mother's premature death in 1990 from breast-cancer (she was only 54), I was never short on underwear. It would just "appear" in my drawer like magic. Three decades later and I'm still waiting for that trick to meet my needs. Sadly, it isn't happening. Time for me to grow up.
My mom monitored me more closely than the Stasi in East Germany. As a teenager, I resented her constant surveillance -- but I knew it was motivated by love. She just wanted to make sure I was okay. This is when I start crying...
How closely did your mom pay attention to you?
Parenting has evolved and I am not sure it was all for the good.
ReplyDeleteMy parents were first generation Italians. Rules were rules and expectations were to be met. Failure was not an option.
I know that attitude!
DeleteMy mother really started paying attention when she found some of her clothes in my underwear drawer. I became much more adept at evading her attention after that. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have similar stories. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteYour post made me cry a little as I had to think of my Mum. I lost her to cancer when she was 65, I can't believe this will be 18 years ago next August ... She was very protective and definitely looked out for me, even long after I'd left home. But I was buying my own underwear by then ;-)xxx
ReplyDeleteThe depth of our sadness reflects the depth of our love. I'm glad you had a caring mother.
DeleteI'm pretty sure both of our underwear drawers are connected to the same system.
ReplyDeleteMy mom frequently got socks and underwear for me. She could thrift jeans for me when i was ready to cry after 80 pairs don't fit. No matter whether i was a size 2 or 12, she knew me. Our styles were totally different but she still had my number.
It's only been 4 years for me, but i still have days where all I want is to pick up my phone and call her to tell her about my day. I doubt that will ever change.
(Also I ordered some socks on Amazon.. Fingers crossed)
Thanks for sharing, Megan, both your story and some of your mom's clothes. I cherish both.
DeleteYour Mom looks so much like my aunt!
ReplyDeleteIt is sad and wonderful at the same time that your memories are so fresh that they can make you cry. That is truly what we leave behind when we leave this earth.
My Mom had four kids so we were left to our own devices. From the age of 11 on I worked so I bought all my own clothes. I liked it like that.
I used to love buying underwear and now I hate it. Gone are the days of lacy thongs. Now I'm looking for comfy cotton and it is a challenge to find anything I like.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
I knew we were related! And, yes, our taste in under-garments does change. That's an area where innovation is needed.
DeleteIt's sometimes those little things that bring home how much we miss someone, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWow, my mom was/is the opposite of that - I don't ever remember her doing something without making a big to-do about it, or "just because." She pretty much left me alone my whole life (and still does) - I've asked her about it (as she is very involved in my brother's life) and she has said she "just doesn't worry about you; you can take care of yourself". Which is also kind of heartbreaking...
Oh, dear... Parents are as different as the population of people. Thank you for sharing your personal story. I'm sorry if reflecting on this subject saddened you.
DeleteMy mom died at 49, also from breast cancer. It's been 34 years, still feels like yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI understand. I'm sorry for your loss.
Delete