Even though I don't live at home anymore, it doesn't mean I still don't have a million questions on how to live. There are things that I took for granted and just assumed I would know, and after living on my own, I realized that I don't. Luckily, Mom is only a text, phone call, email, or FaceTime away for the perfect answer because she knows all, obviously.
1. What temperature do I set the oven for?
If I'm not making pizza rolls or frozen meals and it doesn't tell me on the box, how the heck am I supposed to know what temperature to set the oven for to make sure my chicken doesn't get burnt to crisp. While you're at it, how long do I put the leftovers in the microwave in so they aren't all soggy, but the center is still warm?
2. When I need to find something I lost.
Even though she lives hours away and I can almost guarantee she wasn't there when I misplaced it, her mom senses might have tingling or maybe she just knows me better than I know myself and will remember where the heck I put it.
3. When I have something on my body I can't diagnose.
Whether it's a cut, bruise, blemish, bump or other weird nonconformity, I can usually send a photo and receive some kind of diagnosis, at least whether or not it is going to kill me within the foreseeable future. Most of the time, I am being completely ridiculous, but it doesn't hurt to get some reassurance from mama.
4. Which will make (insert said sickness) go away?
Whether it's a headache, toothache, stomachache, or anything else, she always has the perfect solution. Whether it's an actual medicine or some old family remedy that has been used forever, she never fails to come up with something that will at least help eliminate my problem. And she always makes sure to keep my medicine cabinet full so when those times do come up, and she's not around, she can help me.
5. When a crappy day has me down.
Whether it's school, work, friends, or anything else in the realm of college that has me in a funk, I know I can make a call to her and she will instantaneously cheer me up with a motivational talk or just talking to her about what's going on.
6. Can you make a _____ appointment for me?
No matter how old I get, I will always dislike making doctors, dentists, or any other kind of appointments, however necessary they may be. So while it is still somewhat (or maybe not really) milk-able, I'll keep asking for my mom to take care of it for me.
7. When I do well on anything.
Whether it's a success story from an exam or something good from work, she is the first phone call I make to share my happiness. I know that she will rejoice with happiness because all of my successes are hers too, in a way!
8. Is it really bad to wash all my clothes together?
How much damage will it really do if I just throw everything in at the same time? I mean they aren't markers, why would the colors even blend together. I'm just gonna do it and hope for the best.
9. When I wanna know if my outfit actually looks okay.
She knows me and my style better than anyone and is definitely not afraid to tell me when she doesn't like a sweater or when a pair of shoes are not working, and i'm so lucky to have her to count on her for this, among so many other things.
10. Money
Whether it's a couple dollars i really need to make it until my next paycheck in a couple days or whether or not it is acceptable to spend my money on something that may or may not be ridiculous, her knowledge and actual money is always extremely welcome and encouraged.
11. What does business casual technically mean?
Now that I have to began attending events for work and other groups, this description is often used and it has always confused me. These convos usually include at least five pictures of potential outfits that may or may not all be shut down because I try to live my entire life in leggings, and supposedly they aren't part of the dress code for theses events.
12. Advice
This is so general, but i can't really be more specific. I can ask her about anything from what color socks I should wear with my tennis shoes to something much more relevant and serious, and she will be there with open ears, doing anything she can to help me out.
13. How do you really do it?
As a college student, I will admit I get pretty busy. But after looking at my mom's life for 10 minutes, I realized she does 10 times what I do on her own and manages to co-run a family and household. I can't fathom it. Everything that all moms, but specifically mine can balance. I don't know if it's a class they take or something that just happens when you have kids, but I am so thankful that is does.
Some of these may seem petty, but after living by her right side for so long, it is so different and hard when I can't just turn and ask her these questions. We are still able to make it work when we are hours away, thanks to texts, pictures, and many, many phone calls. I am so blessed to call my mom my best friend and so lucky to know that how pointless and ridiculous some of the questions that our conversations entail may seem, she is always ready with an answer. And almost every time it's the best and only answer, for me. Even if sometimes I don't think so for myself.
