Thursday, April 14, 2011

Am I Turning Into My Mother?

                                                                                                 Julie Kemp Pick


I'll never forget  many years ago when my grandmother went on a blind date. My mother had fixed her up with a wonderful man who had taken her out for a lovely dinner. They were both approaching 80, and this man had the energy to offer to take her dancing. The night was young, and it was a beautiful spring Saturday, but she declined. Then he asked if there was somewhere else she'd rather go. Well he was a gentleman, and an excellent driver, so why not go to Jewel Foods. Who cared that she was wearing her best dress and he was in a suit? She needed to stock up on some groceries, and now was as good a time as any. Needless to say, she never saw him again.

At the time, my mother couldn't believe that my lively grandmother chose a cold cucumber over a hot potato.  She would've loved if her boyfriend took her out dancing. I was single then, and would've gladly gone dancing down the aisles at the Jewel if someone had asked me.

Today, my mom loves spending the day at the grocery store. She loves the free coffee, and combing the aisles in search of a deal. She eats like a bird, but still spends hours surveying the produce, and ordering an eighth of a pound of deli meat. After she never fully recovered from a spinal fusion, she relies heavily on her walker, but at the grocery store she is able to glide through the aisles like a red-headed, green-eyed goddess, with her cart as her chariot.

My brother says that I will be just like her when I get older, because we saw our mother turn into our grandmother. Well our grandma lived to be 93, without ever getting a wrinkle, and my mother is a beautiful woman who turns heads wherever we go. Just the other day, I was thrilled when her pharmacist thought we were sisters. If my brother is right, I would be delighted to age as well as my mom and grandma. However, I solemnly swear, as long as there is pizza delivery, I will not ask my boys to take me grocery shopping.  




A to Z Blogging Challenge

18 comments:

  1. Wow!! I wish I could turn into YOUR mother. Sadly, I'm turning into my grandmother.

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  2. Your mother sounds a great mum to have, how I miss mine, though at times I feel I am thinking like she used to about certain things.
    Enjoyed your post.
    Yvonne.

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  3. That is a pretty funny story. And I think you've got it right, let them take you dancing.

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  4. This is a really wonderful story. I was with you (well, your grandmother, actually) every step of the way. It's always wonderful to know that the road ahead will simply get better and better. :)

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  5. @mybabyjohn - I think we're all too hard on ourselves. You have a very youthful spirit, and I'm sure you look terrific!

    @Yvonne - Thanks, she is a great mom and we've always been very close.

    @Angela - I've been practicing with DWTS, so I'm ready! Thanks!

    @Jeffrey - Thanks, I guess it's all about having the right attitude.

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  6. Love this I will bring you mobile meals.

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  7. Very lovely story. And lucky to have such good genes.

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  8. I love this story! And yes, why grocery shop if you can order pizza?

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  9. Hi. I think it is absolutely inevitable, as well as unavoidable: at some time, we ALL turn into our mothers. We end up saying things she used to say, and doing things she used to do, maybe even looking like she used to look. And I'm happy to say, my daugher is currently turning into ME!

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  10. Well I am most definitely turning into my mother. We favor each other physically. But I am fighting all other similarities. She is so inactive it drives me nuts. She has other less endearing qualities as well. Watching het I am learning a lot about what I want to do differently. But genetics might be too strong.

    Don't get me wrong. I love her. She lives with me and I am her caregiver but my choices will be very different.

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  11. Thanks Wendy!

    @Anon - Looking forward to the MM!

    @Talli - Thanks and I like your philosophy!

    @Susan - Glad for you and your daughter!

    @Elaine - You are a wonderful daughter, and it's very difficult to take care of someone all the time. My mom lived with me for almost a year after her surgery, and we both got under each other's skin.

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  12. Awe, that's so cute, although my significant other and I almost always do our shopping together, so maybe I'm just weird.

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  13. If this is the lowest part of turning into your mother, consider yourself a lucky lady. It could be worse!

    What great stories you write! I look forward to reading them all!

    lrk

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  14. @Spenc - It's nice that you go shopping with your significant other. It's not the idea of shopping with my mom; it's the fact that she likes to spend several hours at the grocery store.

    Thanks lrk!

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  15. Hi Julie .. well she had a mind of her own and knew what she wanted! They always say don't they .. as you get older put a purple hat on & just live .. Sounds like you've got a good few years ahead of you .. and not need for rejuvinating juice!! Fun times .. and memories - enjoy .. Hilary

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  16. Delightful story in aisle 9. Lamp chop.

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  17. Hey Julie, I got stuck on the part where there is free coffee in the grocery store. Was it always like that, do I just not remember. There is no free stuff at the grocery in NZ.

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