From my mother, part 2

Babs with oldest daughter, Bonny, 1971

Things I got from my mother:

• Some people say I look like her. A few people have even seen old pictures of her in my house and asked if it was a picture of me.
• She doesn't wear much makeup.
• She loves to read novels, poetry, newspapers, magazines, biographies; you name it, she'll read it, and will have a review for you when she's done.
• She writes.
• She keeps (kept?) a journal.
• She loves Edith Piaf
• She loves all things Frenchy/Euro.
• Her style (personal and home) is eclectic. When I was a child she said to me: "It doesn't have to match, it just has to go together."
• She has no problem with accumulating more furniture, even if there's no space for it.
• She loves to buy secondhand (prettier words for this being: antique; vintage)
• She is not the most athletic person in the world.
• She picks and chooses what is a "big deal." A lot of times, where other people would make a big fuss or have a big cow about something, she just doesn't see what the big deal is. Other times, somewhat surprising things may be important.
  
• She likes soup and sandwiches and hot chocolate.
• Not a big meat eater or meat cooker.
• She's a talker.
• And yet, despite a love of discussion and a generous penchant for letters and e-mails, she doesn't phone often. This may seem curious. I have to say, though, that I don't like the phone either.
  
• She doesn't always feel like she fits in, though she manages to find a place anyway. In her own words, "I've always felt 'awkward' but I've gotten used to it!! (Like an old shoe!)"
• She likes exclamation points and dashes.
• She likes to be busy.
• She relishes the occasional evening all alone with nothing to do but read or putter around.
  
• She likes to teach.
• She often has a clear picture in her head of how something is going to go or should go.
• She believes strongly in the importance of visiting teaching, Relief Society, and active membership in the Church.
• She cares deeply about the welfare of her children.

Babs in apron, 1968

Things I'm still working on getting from my mother:

• She remembers everyone's birthday and sends cards for everything. Case in point: this year, I forgot to send Mother's Day cards. But did I receive one from my mother? Of course.
• A mantra of hers, "Never suppress a generous thought." - Camilla Kimball
• She was cool with taking care of the kids on late nights when my dad had work and church responsibilities. (I am such a whiner about this)
• Although she cares, she can let go. When I went away to college, she expressed how much she missed me and said, "But we raised you to go out on your own."
  
• She bakes a mean batch of pumpkin cookies.

What did you get from your mother?