Hey, mother, my name is Verdesmeralda. Do you remember?
My mother would always tell me that she was going to take the mattress and sheets I peed on every night outside, or that she was going to take them to school so everyone would know that I was still wetting the bed. She said she would do it to get rid of my "bad habit". She thought I was doing it intentionally.
She told me that he would put me to a lot of shame so that I would not do it again, something that scared me a lot and I imagined it more than once. Fortunately, this only happened in my mind and in his words.
However, one day, I wanted the earth to swallow me up, when she went with me to school and not exactly to carry the mattress and the peed sheets. What a great relief, but...!
I always ate my breakfast before leaving the house, even though my entry time was 07:00 AM, my mother made sure to have breakfast ready early and that my siblings and I would leave with a belly full of a stuffed arepa and a cup of coffee with milk.
One day, I had to have a blood test because I was about to drop finish of elementary school and that requirement was indispensable. She went with me to the medical center and then accompanied me to school, which she never did since I was going alone at that point. My older siblings had already finished elementary school.
I went on an empty stomach, you know, blood tests.
My mother was carrying my breakfast in her bag, which she brought from home, I didn't even realize it. From the medical center, we went straight to school, she dropped me off near the classroom and left. When I went straight to sit at my desk, she came back, peeked through a small window in the classroom door and started shouting a nickname they used to call me only at home.
I wanted the earth to swallow me up.
Hey, mother, my name is Verdesmeralda. Do you remember? The name you chose yourself, don't call me "Tilin, Tilin...". (In my mind)
Even the teacher was puzzled, so I had no choice but to turn around.
Not satisfied with that, my mother offered me through the window the breakfast I had forgotten, in a totally ordinary presentation, being in full view of everyone and being the focus of attention.
Just like that, just like that...
The arepa in a bag of flour and some cold coffee with milk (I hate cold coffee), in a pot where the mayonnaise comes...
Ohh, yes mommy, how beautiful the recycling and how important, but please don't do that to your 11 year old daughter who is trying so hard to do so well in her studies.It is grotesque.(In my mind, now)
I know there was not enough money to buy breakfast at the canteen, it was not necessary either, but surely at home there was at least a decent, discreet and adequate container and a little bottle, even if it was plastic, to serve lemonade, at home there were always lemons to spare and sugar, or just water, but well my beautiful mother has always been like that, let's say that she is practical and rather than stop doing something important, she prefers to do it the way she wants to do it.
She is very genuine, she has almost no filters, she has put me through several embarrassments, I'm sure I put her through too, although as a child I didn't give much work, except for the peed sheets and other little things, but I think we are even on that part.
Now, we are becoming more and more friends.
I have never commented that with her, she has a good sense of humor but she is also a bit delicate. My siblings have laughed when I have told them about it.
P.S: when I got to high school he called me "Tilin, Tilin" again in front of my classmates who made fun of me. I fought hard to get my family and neighbors to stop calling me that, they all did, and I succeeded, after a long time I did. My mother fought hard to stop me from wetting the bed, she did not succeed, nor did she realize that when I stopped doing it, a very important event happened, but that is another story. She never again needed to bring me food anywhere.
The original names and nicknames were modified.
Until the next time.
This writing is inspired by @galenkp's proposal for this weekend.
Photographys from my personal gallery
Lol...mom's bring things to school is rarely good, and often embarrassing, I guess they do it for our own good right?
I recall a time when my mum brought my lunch. My family were not very well off financially and I always took my lunch from home rather than buy it at the school canteen like other kids, my parents couldn't afford that. Anyway, I saved up for a while, did chores and things for a few cents here and there, and finally had enough to buy some lunch at school. I would have been about seven or so.
That morning, I took my lunch out of my school bag and hid it under my bed at home and went to school thinking about buying a cheese sandwich and a sweet or something at the canteen like the normal kids. Around mid-morning though, in walks my mum with my lunch, in front of everyone and hands it to me. I wanted to fall into a hole and get covered up. I took the lunch and ate it later for my lunch. The money went into my money box.
I used to get terribly victimised at school; I had a funny name and was a different colour to the other kids, and I had thought buying my lunch would make them see me differently. Instead, the whole thing managed to get me teased more. It sucked really.
What I learned very early though, was the value of money, not to be wasteful and how hard a parent has to work sometimes, just to make ends meet for their kids. Good lessons.
Anyway, thanks for your good post, own-photos, and the personality you show.
Little Galenkp only 7 years old working and saving to buy a lunch at school and earn some respect, these are strong life stories and I feel more and more admiration for you, some would hold resentment for that kind of situation and even take it as an excuse to follow an "easier" path.
Thank you for sharing those words from part of your life story, I appreciate it very much.
I also worked as a child, did small shopping for some neighbors and then I taught reading and writing to younger children and also basic math. At first it was just one child, then word spread and there were then about 8 children, of course my sisters helped me and we shared the profit.
As for mothers in school, long ago it didn't seem the best thing for working children like us 😊
Thanks to you for making it possible, for your ideas, your dedication and for encouraging us to submit our own photographs. I have learned a lot from you 🤗
Work ethic is important and I believe teaching it to children should happen from a young age as it becomes a habit they carry forward and the sooner it starts the better. My parents taught it to me and I carried forward. I've no kids of my own to teach it to but I certainly try to pass it on to my nice and nephew.
It seems you had it also, and found ways to better yourself, ear a few dollars that could help in your life. I get the impression that's carried forward into adulthood.
You're welcome for the topics, I enjoy doing it as I get to read good posts like this one.
They are very fortunate and I'm sure you teach many other people directly or indirectly. You are an exemplary man.
Thank you, you're too kind.
With your story you made me remember that I couldn't buy lunch at school either and what I had was what my mother could give me, very different from the rest and almost every day the same. I was just with a friend who was in the same situation as me, because of my economic situation, and we ate alone away from the rest.
In a school for people with money I had a scholarship,... they always looked at me funny. I liked to know more about the great person you became Galen.
It's funny what we remember and how those memories are triggered. I didn't recall that moment until I read this post and then it hit me. Weird huh?
We are a great set of memories.... my mother also went to school, but I was used to it hahaha and it didn't affect me... my classmates would tell me... here came your mother... and I would say, well. hahaha.
ay sister what things you had to live as a child, right? thank goodness you are clear that our mother did everything with the best intentions, a little rustic but she thought she was doing the best, this story gave me compassion but also laughter, because I imagine you as a child and that character and our mother and her way of being as you say so genuine, hahahaha she thought she was eating it, but she did it with love! so special our mom! ;-)
Hahaha yes of course sis, now I remember that moment and it makes me laugh a lot, today I laughed a lot while I was filled with memories.
And yes, well, you know how those things are and how they were with our mother, she is very special and her way of doing things is unique.
Hahahahaha my friend, it makes me laugh, that your mom brought you the arepa like that, hahahaha and I remembered that I used to bring it to class just like that too. With my little yellow bottle for juice or water.
Well, it's one thing to wear it discreetly and another to have it sticking out the window for all to see and to be called by a nickname at the classroom door 🙈
Of course, my friend, no doubt that's very different, but that's how moms are, well, we are moms. The important thing is that you had your food.
Yes, of course, she made sure that I had enough food, I remember that and it gives me a mixture of tenderness and laughter... Of course, at that time it was embarrassing, but I know she didn't even realize it. At this point I don't even mention it to her hahaha, I know she won't like it.
Sometimes mothers are like that, they don't do it intentionally, but well, they are the way they are. Although one is embarrassed, and then these stories remain as anecdotes.
I'm glad I no longer call you by your nickname, but by your name.
I loved your story @verdesmeralda ❤️
Yes, well, I'm sure my mother didn't even notice that and I told my siblings about it as adults and we laughed a lot but she didn't, I know she did it with the best of intentions, but still, swallow me up hahaha.
And thank you, I am also glad to have been able to be called by my name. 🤗