By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
Me and my mommy.
Photo courtesy of the Fabulous Mary Favre.
I’ve had many jobs in my life – worn many hats, so to speak – as the occasion and circumstance required. I believe that’s true of most women – the juxtaposition of doing this or that regardless of your experience or background as the need arises.
And if that’s the case with most women, I assure you that is the case with all mothers. Mothers invented a few key things: the art of pivoting, the master of multi-tasking, the uncanny ability of falsehood detection. It’s simply experience, and experience matters, especially in motherhood.
Growing up, I was brilliant. I knew everything. My mother knew nothing, because I had all the answers no matter the subject. That, my friends, is the very definition of adolescent stupidity.
In hindsight, I knew nothing. I knew less than nothing. My realm of experience consisted of Happy Meals, The Wonderful World of Disney Sunday nights and this annoying thing that was an absolute must do nine months out of the year: academia. That was my world, and I knew not only everything about it, I knew everything about everyone else’s world, too.
I began receiving subtle hints about “the real world” and perhaps my naivete early on. An elementary school classmate who didn’t have a mommy to help them get ready in the morning. My mommy got me ready for school each and every morning. Heck, my mommy did my hair for years – pretty much through middle school. In my defense, y’all have seen my hair. It was a chore.
A middle school classmate that couldn’t participate in a Saturday holiday concert at the local mall, because they didn’t have a mommy to bring them. My mommy brought me, along with whoever else needed to be brought.
A high school friend who never had the money for the Sonic tater tots that were a regular treat after school, especially the tots with cheese. I always had tot money. My mommy gave it to me.
As I entered my twenties, my “know it all attitude” became more of a “what in the world?” query. There were subtle hints for years regarding my worldly prowess, but I stuck to my guns for the most part only beginning to question this and that well after the onset of the adulthood mark of 21. I had questions, yet I was still confident in my abilities and opinions, my thought processes, my proficiency to learn. After all, I was smart. I know I was smart, because my mommy told me so.
Fast forward to me being a full grown, albeit rakish adult now, I know a little bit more, but I’m still the first to call my mommy if I have a life-altering situation or a pensive question. She doesn’t always know the answer, but if she doesn’t, we make up an answer – together.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mommys out there. We’ll get it all figured out – or we’ll make it up – together. See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
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