Remembering Mom

Summary

The author reflects on the challenges of long-distance communication with their mother due to technological limitations of the past and shares a poignant moment of kitchen wisdom about replacing a dull vegetable peeler.

Abstract

The narrative "Remembering Mom" recounts the author's experiences of maintaining a relationship with their mother across continents before the advent of modern communication technology. The author reminisces about the difficulties of phone conversations due to time differences and their father's cost-consciousness, which was later understood in the context of his bipolar disorder. A significant memory is shared where, after years of separation, the author and their mother bond over peeling potatoes, leading to a simple yet profound piece of advice from the mother to replace a faulty kitchen tool. This moment of domesticity serves as a touching reminder of the author's loss and the simple joys of being together.

Opinions

The author values the wisdom and practical advice passed down from their mother.
The father's behavior during long-distance calls is perceived as controlling and is attributed to his bipolar disorder.
The author humorously notes the challenges of peeling potatoes and the 'five-second rule' for dropped food.
There is an underlying sentiment of nostalgia and longing for the author's mother.
The article suggests that even mundane moments can hold significant emotional weight.
The author encourages readers to support their writing by becoming Medium members through an affiliate link.

Give that Peeler the Boot

Once I was married, I moved away from my family. My mother and I didn’t have the same opportunities to talk as we had before. We were on different continents before computers and even cell phones had been invented; we were pretty much left to letter writing.

Phone conversations were problematic because of the time difference, and my father tended to hover over anyone on an overseas telephone call. He used to tap on his watch which was his way of saying, “This is a long-distance phone call which is very expensive. Hurry up!!!!”

We learned years later that he was bipolar which explained a lot. Plus, he was plain mean. But that is another story.

So, I must have been a good 20 years into married life when I was in the same room with my mother. It had been so many years since we’d been together. It was her kitchen, and we were peeling potatoes. I remembered I had a problem with my vegetable peeler at home. It just wasn’t working right.

The orneriest vegetables I have ever peeled have always been potatoes. I could never get a good grip on them, and they consistently bounced off into the sink or onto the floor. Sometimes, my knuckles would get in the way of the peeler, and there would be blood.

We have a five-second rule in the house. If a piece of food is only on the floor for five seconds, then it is okay to pick it up and eat it. However, the person picking it up also has to look closely for debris which can either be brushed off or washed off. That, too, is another story. But, suffice it to say, many of the things I’ve picked up off the floor over the years have been partially peeled potatoes.

That day when we were together in her kitchen, I remembered my luck with peelers. I asked her what I should do about my ornery vegetable peeler. She said, “Buy a new one. The blade is dull.”

It’s moments like this that I miss her all over again. It was the simplest of answers.

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