Mom's Admonitions

Today, loafing on the porch I reminisced about yesteryears, Recalling Mom's admonitions still ringing in my ears! As a feckless youth I let them go in one ear and out the other, Alas, paying little heed to my long-suffering Mother! "Stop slamming the screen door! You're letting the flies in!" "I'll box your ears if you pull that silly stunt again!" "Get that dog outta here! Can't you see he's full of fleas!" "No, I don't have money for that! Money doesn't grow on trees!" "The children in China are starving - now clean your plate!" "If you know what's good for you, you'd better be home by eight!" "Were you born in a barn? Now please shut the door!" "Wipe your feet! Can't you see I've just mopped the floor!" "Bundle up good or you'll catch your death of cold!" "Things would go better around here if you'd do what you're told!" "You sass me again and I'll wash your mouth out with soap!" "I don't know what's to become of you - for you I have little hope!" "Quit jumping around! A cake's in the oven! You'll make it fall!" "Finish your chores, young man, then you can play some ball!" Those admonitions have stuck with me through all these years! (Come to think of it - some have pierced my kids' delicate ears!) Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved Placed No. 4 in Francine Robert's "My Parent" Contest - January 2011