National Adult Literacy Database

March 11, 2013

The following story was written by Bert C., from Kingston, Ontario. Bert is enrolled in literacy classes at the Salvation Army West Program, with Kingston Literacy & Skills (KL & S)

Daughters

by Bert C.

Daughters are one of life’s most precious gifts. They can fill your life with so much joy and laughter or break your heart with words or actions. They either love you to pieces or drive you insane.

The first words a mother can’t wait to hear their little girl finally say is, “I love you mommy.” I always had a special little verse for my girls “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.” Who would have thought that that would ever fade? Now it is like pulling teeth to even get an “I love you” out of them. Now the famous phrase is,” Mom, I am going with my friends. Mom you’re embarrassing me.”

Their actions are even more emphatic at times. One minute they throw their arms around you hugging so tight you feel they will never let you go. The next minute they turn from you and say, “Mom please, I’m too old for that.”

A mother tries to give her child the best head start in life she can. This includes encouraging them to be the best they can be, or pushing them a little harder than they appreciate.

One of the major things I taught my daughters was to take care of their bodies. Always eat a good breakfast, try to eat healthy snacks, lunches and dinners. Now it is French fries, burgers, chips, anything that isn’t healthy. It is “Oh Mom calm down, I’m fine” or “I need to lose a few pounds,” even though in reality they could stand to put a couple of pounds on or they are already just fine.

Daughters are the most precious gifts in life, or they can absolutely drive you out of your mind. My mother always said to me, “Just you wait, I hope you have a daughter, then you will understand.” Well Mom, you were right as always. I certainly do understand. Lesson well learned, but I still would not change a day!

[This story was taken with permission from Words Worth, Winter 2011-2012, published by Kingston Literacy & Skills (KL & S).]