The world of a reporter is one driven by deadlines.
But this weekend marks what is maybe the most important deadline of all. Get those cards in the mail and order those flowers — it’s Mother’s Day.
Now, I could write about how wonderful my mother is, but I’ve never been the sappy sort. Neither is she.
Instead, brace yourself for a glimpse into the matriarch of the McMackin family. That spicy ginger is independent, smart, funny, sarcastic and a life-long lover of The Beatles.
She is also ridiculous, with a knack for inadvertently teaching a thing or two about life.
Here are the Top 5 lessons I’ve learned from my mother over the years, in no particular order.
1. Be independent
A man once approached my mother at an event, offering to reverse and park the truck and horse trailer she was piloting. She smiled demurely at him, turned on her heel and whipped that ride into a tiny parking spot.
When she got out of the truck, she told me she despised being treated as though she were incapable.
She practised parking that rig ad nauseam for most of that summer. Thanks to her, I can parallel park a six-horse trailer like it’s a Camry. I can handle a manual transmission like a pro. Send me alone to a strange country and I’ll master the transit system, pick up language basics and befriend a bartender within minutes.
Despite the importance she places on independence, she damn well expects to be treated like a lady. Gentlemen should open doors. And don’t even point her in the direction of a chain saw; that’s a ‘blue’ job.
2. Don’t limit yourself
“I think you and Ryan Miller would be perfect together.”
That was the reason for a late-night phone call I received from my mother a number of years ago. He would make an ideal son-in-law, she said. He’s just your type, she said.
Turns out she was watching a TSN special on the U.S. goaltender, decided she liked his face and attitude, thought of her daughter, and rang to express her concern that Miller and I were not, in fact, a couple.
It did not faze her that, A) I didn’t (and don’t) actually know Ryan Miller, B) I didn’t (and don’t) necessary like Ryan Miller, or that, C) he’s married. I reminded her of this phone call not too long ago — she stands by her opinion.
The good news is: once you’ve had your mother try to coerce you into dating Ryan Miller, everything else that comes your way is kinderspiel.
3. Don’t be a crazy cat lady
Late last year, she got a kitten. His name is Bobcat — Bobby to those closest to him. I get weekly updates.
4. Kill ‘em with kindness
“Just smile.”
This two-word gem, or a variation of, has slipped out of my mother’s mouth on a number of occasions. While the comment may have been intended to kick my bratty nature in the ass, the advice has proven invaluable.
There is nothing as satisfying as pasting a sweet look on your face and grinning up at someone who is treating you poorly. It pays to have good manners, patience and a friendly voice — that’s half my job description.
5. Communicate
Against my better judgment, I agreed to let my mother teach me how to drive a stick shift.
In the 30 minutes we spent together in that truck, we must have stalled 25 times. The truck may have moved a few feet. I grew frustrated. She repeated the same set of instructions at me. Again. And again.
What started out as a driving lesson soon turned into a lesson on the importance of communication: talk about what’s on your mind, offer advice when it’s needed, listen to what others are saying — or not saying — to you, be open to feedback.
