I have always been a planner. I think I get it from my mom. My mom used to plan big dinners for her home party plan business, "Dutchmaid Fashions". My mom used to plan dinners for the Templeton Fish and Game Club, where she would also be in charge of cooking all of the food. My mom used to have big holiday dinners and parties at home, too. When my son and I were cleaning out her house, I discovered notebooks with lists and plans for holidays. Some of the lists went way back to when I was very little. Christmas lists of presents, birthday party lists, the list (ha ha) goes on and on. While it was fun to read through them, it never resonated with me until today.
I recently began a 6 week course of action prompted by a teaching professional to help me become better organized at school so I can enjoy my personal life without the stress of worrying about being prepared for teaching. Week 2 was about lists and how to make better use of to do lists, etc. As I sat down today to organize the new materials I purchased to house my notes, I recognized the similarites between me and my mom! After all, we are still not a month since Christmas and I have Easter lists in my brain. I also have Valentine's that I plan to purchase for the littles in my life. I have already begun to tentatively plan a list for summer projects. I guess I have my mom to thank for this afterall.
Twenty years ago I was planning a cruise for my husband's family where we celebrated my in-law's 50th Anniversary, my father in law was 70, my mom 60, my sister in law was 50. Today my daughter and I are planning a 90th birthday party for my father in law and in my mind I am thinking about what I would have done for my mom's 80th birthday had she not gotten Alzheimer's.
There are many moments in many days that I miss my mom and many times I cry on my way home from visiting her. However, being able to discover how we connect to each other can put a smile on my face. I am honored to know that I got my 'planning' gene from my mom. I hope I make her proud by being able to carry on, what I realize now, a trait that I never knew was so important until now.
There are many moments in many days that I miss my mom and many times I cry on my way home from visiting her. However, being able to discover how we connect to each other can put a smile on my face. I am honored to know that I got my 'planning' gene from my mom. I hope I make her proud by being able to carry on, what I realize now, a trait that I never knew was so important until now.
