"Don't forget, I gave you two cars," is something I hear often. I haven't forgotten, because you won't let me!
Today's conversation went like this.
Me: I have to take the car to the dealership. Your Lexus is broken.
In retrospect, I should not have said "your Lexus" because it is now ours. I just fed the monster.
Mom: What do you mean broken? It was in perfect condition when I gave it to you. That Andy, he can't handle anything nice. What is he doing to the car? Why is it broken? He doesn't know how to take care of nice things.
I will admit, I lost it at this point. I may have raised my voice and said, "how are we supposed to take care of a car other than servicing it and driving it?! We're not crazy drivers, what are you TALKING ABOUT?" and then she said, "I don't have time to talk about this" and hung up on me.
Seriously? Cuz cars don't break? Cuz cars don't depreciate? Cuz there's not wear and tear on a car you gave us after driving it for five years?! And this is the crap I have to deal with every day... and my only outlet is here and a text to my husband, because this is my mother and I have to just persevere and move forward with faith and a smile on my face.
Nothing comes for free. \Even stuff from your parents... because how many times have I yelled at my kids for not taking care of something that I gave to them? But a car? Come on... that's got to be different. Mothers are hard. I hope I can remember this lesson so that I don't respond the same way when I give my kids something that eventually breaks or has a problem.
I will admit, I thought something similar when my brother told me the macbook I gave him (after using it for four years) broke, well just the camera to be specific. I guess I'm not that much different than my own mother, but I'm going to try to be... because change is possible, and recognizing those little quirks you have that might resemble your moms is the first place to start.
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