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I say what I mean and I mean what I say.
My mom always used to say, “I say what I mean and I mean what I say,” and looking back, it was something I didn’t fully grasp until I learned it the hard way. I remember one particular instance when I was being especially sassy, talking back in a way that I knew would push her buttons. She warned me that if I spoke to her like that again, I wouldn’t be able to go to my friend’s sleepover. I didn’t take her warning seriously–I was certain she wouldn’t follow through.
My mom always used to say, “I say what I mean and I mean what I say,” and looking back, it was something I didn’t fully grasp until I learned it the hard way. I remember one particular instance when I was being especially sassy, talking back in a way that I knew would push her buttons. She warned me that if I spoke to her like that again, I wouldn’t be able to go to my friend’s sleepover. I didn’t take her warning seriously–I was certain she wouldn’t follow through.
Well, I did it again. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I could see her expression shift. My mom didn’t raise her voice or launch into a long lecture–she simply told me I had lost the privilege of going to the sleepover. I started crying–hard, I begged, I pleaded, I even tried to convince her I had learned my lesson, but it didn’t matter. My mom stayed firm in her decision. I didn’t go to the sleepover, and I learned one of the most important lessons about boundaries and consequences.
That day, I truly understood what she meant when she said, “I mean what I say.” My mom didn’t give into my tears or my pleading; she stuck to her word, and in the end, I realized how important it was to respect the promises people make. It wasn’t about being harsh; it was about teaching me responsibility, accountability, and the reality that actions have real consequences. After that, whenever she said something, I knew she meant it–and I learned to listen, not just hear.
What’s right is not always easy.
When I was 7, I made a choice I’m not proud of–but it’s a memory I'll never forget. My mom, my sister, and I were all at the grocery store, and I spotted this adorable stuffed animal kitten. I wanted it so badly, but my mom said no. For some reason, I decided to take it anyway. I tucked the kitten inside the front pocket of my overalls, hoping no one would notice. But, of course, my mom saw it the second we got to the car. I thought I was in the clear, but I was so wrong.
When I was 7, I made a choice I’m not proud of–but it’s a memory I'll never forget. My mom, my sister, and I were all at the grocery store, and I spotted this adorable stuffed animal kitten. I wanted it so badly, but my mom said no. For some reason, I decided to take it anyway. I tucked the kitten inside the front pocket of my overalls, hoping no one would notice. But, of course, my mom saw it the second we got to the car. I thought I was in the clear, but I was so wrong.
Without hesitation, my mom turned around and marched me back into the store. I remember feeling like I was about to cry. I was terrified. I had to go inside and tell the manager I’d stolen the stuffed animal and apologize. I could barely get the words out, and the whole thing was uncomfortable. But my mom made sure I did it–no getting out of it. It wasn’t easy, and I hated every second of it, but I knew she was right. It was the only way to fix the mistake I’d made.
Looking back, I realize how important that moment was. Her saying “What’s right is not always easy” really sums it up. It wasn’t easy for me to admit what I’d done, and it definitely wasn’t easy for my mom to make me do it. But she knew it was the right thing, and that lesson stuck with me. Sometimes doing the right thing is tough, but it’s always worth it in the end.
Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it.
One of my mom’s favorite sayings is, “Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it.” As a kid, I heard this a lot, especially when my sister and I would beg for something. We were persistent, and the more we begged, the more my mom would remind us of this proverb. The perfect example of this came when we begged for hamsters. We promised we’d take care of them, so eventually, after much convincing, my parents took us to the pet store to pick out our new furry friends.
One of my mom’s favorite sayings is, “Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it.” As a kid, I heard this a lot, especially when my sister and I would beg for something. We were persistent, and the more we begged, the more my mom would remind us of this proverb. The perfect example of this came when we begged for hamsters. We promised we’d take care of them, so eventually, after much convincing, my parents took us to the pet store to pick out our new furry friends.
I chose the tiniest, cutest dwarf hamster I could find. It was so small and adorable, I thought it would be the perfect pet. My sister, on the other hand, went for the big fluffy one. We brought them home, excited at first, but things quickly took a turn. My hamster, who I had hoped would be my cuddly companion, would bite me every time I tried to touch it. Meanwhile, my sister’s hamster gave birth to eight tiny hamsters, a total disaster. Suddenly, we had a whole army of hamsters to take care of, and neither of us was ready for the responsibility.
Of course, we quickly regretted our decision. Cleaning the hamster cages became a dreaded chore, only hoping it would end. But my mom, ever wise, reminded us that we had made a commitment when we asked for them. No matter how much we complained, we were stuck taking care of them. In hindsight, it was a great lesson in responsibility–and a perfect example of my mom’s saying. It taught me that sometimes, getting exactly what you ask for isn’t as great as it seems.