Mother's words of wisdom

By Cindi Pearce

One night, as my twelve-year-old daughter and I were watching TV, the show's host asked a teenage girl how her mother had most influenced her.

The teenager launched into a praised-filled testament to her mother and all of the profound and poignant life lessons she'd taught her.

I wondered, what would my daughter say if asked the same question?

What gems had I passed onto my daughter, if any?

Would she say that I'd taught her to be strong and independent and encouraged her to live outside the box?

Would she offer to build a shrine in my honor? Well ... that was pushing it. Not in my wildest self-deluded fantasies was that ever going to happen.

My daughter liked me but maybe not that much.

I nudged my kid and said, "If you were asked that question, how would you answer it? What would you say is the most important life lesson that I've taught you?"

Without hesitation, Liza quipped, "Don't wear white shoes after Labor Day."

What?

She repeated her answer, adding in an irritated tone, "Didn't you hear me the first time, Mom?"

I had. Loud and clear.

I didn't know whether to chuckle or sign up for the Loser of the Year Mother's Club.

That's the best I could do, had done, in twelve years, in the motherly advice department? Don't wear white shoes after Labor Day?

Since that exchange, eight years ago, the fashion ‘rules' have changed and apparently it's now quite acceptable to wear white shoes in the winter; winter white, I suppose.

I don't know what fashion camp my now twenty-year-old daughter is in when it comes to white shoes but ... I'm sticking with what my mother instructed me.

In fact, I don't even like white shoes in the summer!