Home > Work > The Mother-in-Law
41 " I’d pictured an adoring mother clasping a photo album of sepia-colored baby photos and a brusquely proud but socially awkward father, clasping a can of beer and a cautious smile. "
― Sally Hepworth , The Mother-in-Law
42 " Being poor and having to survive without my parents was the single most defining thing I’ve ever done. It showed me what I was capable of. As a mother, I think this is the most important gift you can give to your children. Unlike money, it can’t be taken away or lost. "
43 " Why is it that mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law always seem to have issues, and never sons-in-law and fathers-in-law?” Ingrid scribbles something on the chart. “Sons-in-law and fathers-in-law don’t care enough to have issues. "
44 " they want them to be happy. Happy! Not empathetic contributing members of society. Not humble, wise and tolerant. Not strong in the face of adversity or grateful in the face of misfortune. I, on the other hand, have always wanted hardship for my kids. Real, honest hardship. Challenges big enough to make them empathetic and wise. "
45 " I search for an upside to fine, but I can’t seem to find one. Being called fine is like being told your outfit doesn’t make you look fat. Being called fine is like being the day-old sandwich that doesn’t give you food poisoning. Being called fine is like being the daughter-in-law that you didn’t want, but who could have, on balance, been worse. "
46 " We’re our children. Our grandchildren. Our great-grandchildren. We’re all the people who will go on to live, because we lived. We are our wisdom, our intellect, our beauty, filtered through generations, continuing to spill into the world and make a difference. "
47 " there’s really only two pieces of wisdom worth leaving behind. I worked hard for everything I ever cared about. And nothing I ever cared about cost a single cent. "
48 " could have written more, but in the end, there’s really only two pieces of wisdom worth leaving behind. I worked hard for everything I ever cared about. And nothing I ever cared about cost a single cent. "
49 " The tears spill as I pull out of the intersection. I leave him to it, his own personal grieving process. He doesn't need me telling him everything will be okay when we both know it won't. Instead I give his hand a firm squeeze. My role is clear to me now. I will be the strong one. I'll be good at this. I am aware of my limitations. I'm not warm, I'm not especially kind. But I can be strong. I can allow Tom to slip away knowing I will be all right. This, I can give him. "
50 " while. But I’m hoping it "
51 " grab the iPad and exit the room, and Archie and Harriet tailgate me down the hall, a swishing appendage of fury. "
52 " but at the same time, it feels like poor taste to talk about what we’ll get when someone dies before they are dead. "
53 " shouldn’t have said "
54 " occurs to me that only a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law can have an all-out war without anyone so much as raising their voice. The funny thing is, if any of the menfolk were here, they wouldn’t have a clue "
55 " Who are we after we’re gone? I wonder. It’s a good question to ponder. Most people can’t come up with an answer right away. They frown, consider it for a minute. Maybe even sleep on it. Then the answers start to come. We’re our children, of course. Our grandchildren. Our great-grandchildren. We’re all the people who will go on to live because we lived. We are our wisdom, our intellect, our beauty filtered through generations, continuing to spill into the world and make a difference. "
56 " Інколи нам потрібно тужити разом, а інколи тужити потрібно самотою. "
57 " Бути сильною має свої переваги. Це дає тобі сили вважати, що ти зможеш вистояти перед будь-чим і не зламатися. "
58 " Найгірше, що я можу для тебе зробити, - це допомогти. "
59 " Коли я була заміжня, мені було що втрачати. А зараз усе, що в мене є, належить лише мені. Це вартує більшого, ніж ти можеш уявити. "
60 " Нормально - це як вчорашній бутерброд: принаймні ним не отруєшся. Коли про тебе кажуть, що ти нормальна - це все одно, що ти невістка, котра не подобається свекрусі, та, з іншого боку, могло ж бути й гірше. "