When it comes to life lessons, my mother has imparted a wealth of wisdom as the eldest child in our family. One principle stands out above the rest: If there’s a job that needs doing, take it upon yourself to tackle it.
I remember vividly the time she replaced a toilet using nothing but a butter knife and a hefty dose of determination. There was also the day she decided our dining room needed a makeover; she simply punched a hole in the drywall and got to work. For years, our dining room walls were a work in progress, but she saw it through, start to finish, all on her own. Not to mention, she once dragged a hot water heater from the basement to the curb just because it had to be done and no one else was around.
Now, it’s not that my mom never asks for help—far from it. When we visit, she welcomes my partner with open arms and a list of furniture she’d love assistance with. It’s a casual request, like, “Oh, no rush, sweetheart. Just before you head out.” Countless times, my siblings and I have heard her call out from somewhere in the house, her voice sharp and insistent, signaling that she’s attempting to roll up a large rug that she can’t manage alone.
If we were to design a family motto, it would undoubtedly read, “Get your butt in here and lend a hand!”
Perhaps my mother’s proactive nature stems from a sense of impatience, a refusal to let tasks linger another day. Or maybe it’s a fierce independence that has helped her weather life’s storms, whether she faced them alone or not. It could even be that she simply has poor impulse control when it comes to taking on projects. Regardless of the motivation behind her actions—whether it’s grabbing a butter knife to fix a toilet, picking up a hammer to demolish a wall, or diving into a new project without the necessary tools or help—the fundamental lesson remains clear: no matter the challenge ahead, it doesn’t matter who’s available to assist or how overwhelming the task may seem. With effort, I can achieve anything on my own.
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In summary, my mother’s hands-on approach to life has taught me that self-sufficiency is key. Whether it’s tackling home repairs or navigating life’s complexities, the ability to rely on oneself is an invaluable lesson that I cherish and aspire to embody.
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