1. The "Real World"

Where are the groceries? How do I file my taxes?? DENTAL INSURANCE?!? Okay, you were right: high school wasn't that bad.

2. Laundry

So after a couple (dozen) blue socks and one hopelessly shrunken sweater, I actually started reading those labels and using the divided hamper you gave me. You were right: attention matters in the care and keeping of clothes. That now I have to pay to replace...

3. Housekeeping

I left the pot in the sink "to soak," and it was still there in the morning. You were right: the cleaning fairies aren't going to magically make my messes go away.

4. Drama

How often did I call you angry/weepy/hurt in college over the minutiae of interpersonal melodrama? I don't know what took me so long to figure this one out, but you were right: life is way too short.

5. Pets

Why can't I just have every kitten/puppy/rodent that crosses my field of vision? Oh, yeah... they are expensive to vet. And pet deposits. And training. And time. You were right: I can't have all the cats. Even when I have my own house.

6. Money

There's a reason you call my sister your "thrifty child." Turns out that once point #1 up there set in, I understood why you bought generics. And didn't just "splurge a little" every time you saw something you liked. And sorted your laundry carefully. You were right: I learned to care when it was my money.

7. Procrastinating

It's amazing-- there is no one in my house to tell me what to do! Or remind me of my commitments, or make me do chores, or make my appointments, or.... oh. You were right: Time to put on my big girl panties and get stuff done. Or face the consequences, like that terrifying thing that's growing in the back of my fridge.

8.Piano Lessons

60 minutes on the practice timer felt like an eternity, and I didn't hesitate to let you know how I felt about it or come up with several dozen excuses as to why I could just "do it later." You were right: I would want those skills someday. (Like in the college major I picked, the field I joined, and the work I do every single day...)

9. Moving Out

I cried. I procrastinated on packing. I cried some more. Every time I would start getting worked up over leaving the nest, you told me your own stories and also gave me the tough love I needed to get moving. You were right: I love having my own place.

10. Everything

You were right: Someday I would realize that Mom is always right.