PLGRM

There’s a joke I love to make. I look at someone and say “If it’s not one thing, it’s my mother.”

It’s funny because the real phrase does not actually end with “it’s my mother” (take it from me: explaining jokes is always a good idea).

But it’s also funny because it rings true.

Even though our mothers are the ones named, we know the truth of having strained, difficult, or even just weird relationship with our parents. Even at their best, these relationships are hard.

I use the phrase to remind myself and the person I’m speaking to that there are often forces at work in our lives that got there looooong before we had any say in the matter. The way our families work (and have always worked) have a significant impact on the way our lives work now.

If you want to know why you do a thing you do, take a look at mom and dad. It’s probably their fault.

(Not really, but, also, probably. 🙂 )