Mo knows

Apr 20th, 2006 by Accidental Thinker

Maia must think I’m a brainiac. When I don’t know the answer to a question, her response is usually something along the lines of, "Why not? You know everything!"

Not everything, dear daughter of mine. Your mother most definitely does not know everything. Not even close! But with three and a half decades of experience under my belt, there are a few things I do know.

I know there is magic in hugs from my kids and my husband.
I know that laughter is the best medicine.
I know the value of a dollar.
I know that silence is golden.
I know that raucous noise has its place too.
I know that Diet Coke works in place of water as liquid sustenance.
I know the health nuts out there are probably cringing about that.
I know that my memory isn’t what it used to be, and I’d better write stuff down.
I know that I’m a work in progress, but that’s okay because so is everyone else.
I know the people who say "beauty is only skin deep" have it wrong, because true beauty comes from within.
I know that what I get out of things is usually a direct result of what I put into them.
I know that the best way to get a smile is to give one.
I know that the best activity for a rainy day is to curl up with a good book.
I know that the good book gets even better when it’s accompanied by a toasty warm blanket.
I know that it’s not a very good idea to leave kids unsupervised with markers and paint.
I know that it’s not very pleasant to step on cat throw up with bare feet in the dark.
I know my house is probably never going to pass a white glove test.
I know I’d take artistic kids and regurgitated hairballs over white gloves any day.
I know that our TV will stay permanently tuned to The Disney Channel for the near future.
I know my children are growing up right before my very eyes.
I know that I am loved.
I know there is no place on Earth I’d rather be than right here and right now.
I know that sometimes I really need to pay more attention to the things I know.

Posted in Reflections |

10 Responses to “Mo knows”

on 20 Apr 2006 at 12:59 pm1bornfool

Beautiful, Monique. I’ve written many of those same things in an open letter to my children.
on 20 Apr 2006 at 1:47 pm2Paul N.

I’m the “health nut” you referred to. I cringed. I haven’t had a Coca-Cola product since 1997.

This is a real good post. I enjoyed it.
on 20 Apr 2006 at 4:38 pm3Mike (ex scientia)

Monique, that was super! I know that the best activity for a rainy day is to curl up with a good book …. or someone who has read one. 🙂
on 20 Apr 2006 at 11:57 pm4Jamie Dawn

I know that I don’t ever want to know what it feels like to step on vomit with bare feet. Yuck!
I know that family is the most precious thing we have on this earth.
I’m glad you know what you know.
I always thought my dad knew EVERYthing, and the funny thing is I pretty much still think that. Maia will probably always respect your knowledge.
on 21 Apr 2006 at 1:09 am5Ivy

I know that you’re right! Especially the writing stuff down part!
on 21 Apr 2006 at 7:14 am6Miss Cellania

This is so good. The beginning of wisdom is to know your priorities.
on 21 Apr 2006 at 10:32 am7Amy Claire

Mo, thanks for visiting my blogspot. I feel so very awkward at this time. I read some of yours and you are a very interesting person. I like how you put family first. You are a wonderful writer. Hope to become better friends. YaYa
on 21 Apr 2006 at 11:14 am8Jolynn

That is a perfect list. You’ve said it all.
on 21 Apr 2006 at 4:41 pm9serendipity

Iloved that. that summed so many things up!!
on 21 Apr 2006 at 5:15 pm10Jona

I need to remember what you know more often too! But I can add one: I know that even when you remember to hide the markers and paint, you should also make sure your eldest knows to hide his scissors better!