"Go ahead," Mom said.

Monday October 18, 2010

I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was about 12, and we had just come from the grocery store. I was helping Mom put the groceries away, transferring the eggs from the carton to the container in the refrigerator door.

I took one egg and held it in my hand, looked at Mom, and said, "I've always wondered what it would feel like to squish an egg in your hand."

(Odd, I know, but I had an active twelve-year-old's imagination...)

Mom looked at me and grinned. Then she said, "Go ahead."

I looked from the egg to her, surprised. "What?"

"You've always wondered? Go ahead."

That was all the prompting I needed. I proceeded to squish the egg, feeling the shell crack in my hand. The slithery contents dripped through my fingers, puddling around my bare feet.

My mom was there in a second with a rag, cleaning my feet. "Mom!" I said. "I can't believe you let me do that."

She shrugged and smiled.

I remember that every time I get an egg from the refrigerator. The day my mom said, "Go ahead." It was a small thing, but it affirmed me. It said, "Curiosity is good. Check things out. Sometimes you've just gotta know."

She let me mess up my bare feet and the kitchen floor, without batting an eyelash. It was great.

What can you say "Go ahead" to, today?

11 comments:

Jean Wise said...

what a gift your mom gave you. a great memory and permission to try. love this post!

Anonymous said...

When my sons were younger, they sorely wanted to stomp on ketchup packets from restaurants. I resisted -- it was messy, it was wasteful. But I finally relented one day -- they had a blast and got it out of their system. :-)

Sometimes entertaining "What would happen if..." queries is messy, but I often had to remind myself not to stifle that sense of curiosity.

Carrie Anne Schmeck said...

I am not sure what I would do but you just gave me a great journal topic for today! I will be curious to find out what my son says.

Julie Gillies said...

Wow, Laura, I just loved this! What a precious thing for a mom to do. No wonder you always think of it whenever you grab an egg out of the fridge. What an impression it made on your young heart.

My "Go Ahead" is far different. My daughter turned 15 on Saturday. Back when she was about 10, she started asking to color her hair. In one of my lamer moments, I told her "You cannot color your hair until you're 15." Well, she not only remembered that, she went out and bought (temporary) hair colors--black and deep green--and you guessed it: she's already colored her hair. Thank God it will be out in 2 to 4 weeks.

Why couldn't she have just wanted to smash an egg? *wink*

Donnetta said...

What a gift your mother gave to you in that moment!

Thank for the reminder and encouragement to look for the "go ahead" moments in the lives of my own children.

I have often said I want to be more of a "yes" mom than a "no" mom.

Will be looking for those moments with renewed perspective today. Thanks!

Victoria said...

What a wonderful thing she did for you! Curiosity is a great thing but it disappears so fast.

Thanks for sharing this awesome memory (and valuable piece to ponder) with us.

Heather said...

What a great memory to have! Seems like such a small thing your mom did but what a lasting impression something like that can make! Thanks for sharing this and reminding me that I can do small things like this that can make a big impression and a long lasting memory.

NeedANap2 said...

From my mom, back when I was 15 1/2. Easter afternoon she said, "Want to drive?". I couldn't believe it and will always remember! Great reminder to all of us moms. :)

Rebecca Ramsey said...

I love that.
It's a real gift to our kids when we (talking about me here!) put aside our need for orderliness and neatness in the name of curiosity and fun! Great example!

Karen said...

So that's where your curiosity and love of learning came from! She must be wonderful, like her daughter.

Faith said...

what a fun (and wise!) mom you have! hm.....not sure what I should be saying "go ahead" to at this point in my stage of raising a 17 year old and 11 year old girl but...i guess I could say 'go ahead" to my youngest and baking..she SOOOO much wants to bake all by herself (including cracking an egg!) but...I am always hesitant...i guess maybe this weekend I'll get brave and let her "go ahead"!

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