Joys of Ironing
We have decided to focus on the list of thank yous we have for our mother. The List can be found in our previous Blog Post - Chocolate Chip Muffins. Every item on The List has a story that talks to the kind of person that our Mother was and as we started this blog to honour her memory, we’ll be elaborating on The List for our next few posts.
Do you know the joys of ironing? You most certainly would if you had a highland dancer in your life. There were hours of trying to get the outfit just right. We had beautiful white extremely full skirted dresses that we wore for our choreographed non-traditional dances. I remember we were doing an event and Mom was working. I thought I would do the ironing for her. I remember thinking, “How hard can it be?” Well besides almost burning the dress, every time I thought I was done I would find another wrinkle or four. I had tried my very best. When Mom got home from work, out came the iron and viola – she made it look amazing!
By remembering the countless hours she spent making sure we were prepared to be on stage, we’ve found a number of lesson to be learned from Mom and The Iron.
DO WHAT YOU CAN
Our Mother could not always be in attendance at our events growing up. Whether she couldn’t take the time off work or the travel was too much for our family budget, there were times when she would have to send us off with dance teachers, band chaperones or family friends. Even though she could not be in the audience, she could make sure we were prepared. Now that is not to say we did not forget our fair share of things or land at a competition without a vital piece of something on occasion but she taught us the value of doing what you can when you can to be as prepared as possible.
HARD WORK MATTERS
Any one that knew our Mother knew that she was a hard worker. She was the type of woman that could dine with a Premier but would do so over food she prepared and while in clothing she made herself. Deb has a great memory of helping Mom prepare a luncheon at the Gaelic College for the Right Honorable John Buchanan. She helped Mom make the open face sandwiches and they set the buffet table. Once the set up was complete, Mom rushed to a close by dorm room where she got dressed in a beautiful gown she made with friends for the event. Hard was just the way she worked.
DETAILS MATTER
Our mother put her heart into everything that she did because she cared. She cared for details that others might never notice. One Christmas, my Mom’s family came to stay with us for the Holidays. Her father was quite ill and in hospital, so Mom took to making a Christmas that would help lift everyone’s spirits. Our house was a wonderland- she even decorated the house plants. It was like Christmas magic, not a corner left out or a heart untouched.
Whether it was ironing our white dresses, making a gown or decorating for an event, our Mother showed her love for us, her extended family, and her friends through her hard ward work and attention to the little things. As we remember Katherine Mae, we ask that you take a moment to appreciate those that “iron” for you.