She Loves Me

My mother says that I should take time in life to smell the roses, but when I stop to smell the flowers on the way to school she tells me not to dawdle.

My mother says to always sit up straight and tall, but when we go to the movies she tells me to slouch down in my seat so the people behind us can see the screen.

My mother says to be friendly and well-mannered toward others, yet she tells me not to talk to strangers.

My mother says not to hesitate to ask questions, yet she tells me to hush up when she is having a conversation with another person.

My mother often says that I look perfect as we rush out the door, yet she tells me that aiming to be perfect is not a healthy mindset.

My mother says not to be afraid of spiders, yet the other day when we found a huge black one dangling from her wardrobe she screamed.

My mother says things like "the early bird gets the worm" and "early to bed and early to rise, makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise", but when I bounce on her, waking her at the first light of dawn she asks, "why are you waking me up so early?"

My mother says that I don't get enough exercise, but when I run ahead of her she tells me to slow down and walk.

My mother says that I'm growing up too fast, but sometimes when I give her a hard time about something she says, "oh, grow up!"

At swimming lessons my mother says that I'm a great little swimmer, but when we go out in our boat she tells me that I have to wear a life jacket because I don't know how to swim.

My mother says that patience is a virtue, yet she often tells me to hurry up.

My mother says that she loves me.
And that, I know, is true!

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She Loves Me ("the published story") has been created, written and published solely by the author, Deborah K. Hanula.

All rights reserved. No part of the published story may be reproduced in any manner, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, including but not limited to electronic, mechanical, photocopying, scanning, photographing, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author/publisher, Deborah K. Hanula.