Eating From the Ground Up

not for now but for later

by

Because it’s now that I’m here and I write, this list will live in this place, not for now but for later. Not for today, when just tonight at 8:08, we cheered and said hooray! It’s been a decade, 10 whole years! since you came twirling into the world. Not tonight, when we ate lemon bars and roast chicken and everyone in our lives called to wish you happy 10th. You tried on new earrings, clutched new books to your chest, and said thank you to everyone. You don’t need any advice today. You’ve got this all down.

But another time. When you’re older, and you feel like you don’t know what you used to know.

10 things to remember, later. (Because on this night where I have been mothering for exactly 10 years, I’d like to remember them too.)

In no particular order.

1. Be excited about the things you are excited about. Show it. Cheer for those things. Don’t be afraid to be a beginner.

2. Don’t worry too much about hair removal.

3. Keep eggs and pasta in the kitchen at all times. That way, when you don’t know what to eat for dinner, there’s always carbonara.

4. Live close to the knowledge of your own inevitable death. Try to make each day so that it would be okay if it were the very last day.

5. Just give over and decide to love doing dishes.

6. When you find the person you love, kiss them at least once a day. (Really kiss.)

7. When you are invited, say yes.

8. Don’t wear anything that makes it hard to breathe or walk.

9. Eat sitting down, unless it is crackers and cheese at 4:00, and that should be eaten at the counter while you stare out the window.

10. If it’s too spicy, add honey. If it’s too bland, add lemon. If it’s too salty, add water. But if it still doesn’t taste good, let it go. (See #4)

 

 

Comments

  7. Today (yesterday, now I guess) was also my mother’s birthday, she turned 72. I’m going to share this post with her. But truly, she pretty much has lived very much this way.

    Except those suggestions in #10, those we all need to share, and share some more.

    Happy Happy to your beautiful eldest girl.

    • Oh, thank you Julie. And happy birthday to your mom too. Do you have your own #10? I always love to hear how people save dinner…

  10. Simply lovely Alana! With each of my children’s birthdays I always feel it’s appropriate to celebrate another year of my own life as a mother. It’s quite a remarkable thing to bring another person into this world and to nurture them along on this wonderful journey. After almost 23 years of this crazy adventure (and having just celebrated our youngest child’s 18th birthday!), my husband and I poured ourselves a glass of wine and made a toast to all that we are proud of. What’s amazing is to realize just how much our children have taught us along the way. Happy Birthday to all of you!

    • Yes, Janet! I love this. I think especially since Sadie is my first- it strikes me even more. When she was born, the new me was, too. And 23 years! That’s so much to celebrate 🙂

  11. Happy birthday to your kiddo. That’s a beautiful, wonderful list. I’m so glad there are good people like you raising good little humans, so the child-free among us can be confident that the world will carry on well without our contributions.

    • Thank you! That’s really such a beautiful thing to say. And it’s funny– these days the line between those of us who have had kiddos and those who haven’t feels a little blurred. We’re all creating this world for them in our own way, and (cliched as it is) it really does take a village. I’m so thankful for that village.

  12. Brought tears to my eyes and an ache to my heart ( a good ache, my Stella is 10 )
    Happy Day Sadie, you have claimed yourself one amazing Family…..keep them close <3

  15. Loved this. Not a mom myself (not to human kids anyway!), but could see myself writing something like this.
    As always, thank you for sharing your lovely life with us!

  19. Thank you for this beautiful list. I only stumbled upon your blog recently, but was drawn in so quickly. There isn’t ever a single word that doesn’t feel relative, nor a thought that doesn’t give pause. Not to mention to dang good recipes! So, thank you. For your honesty, for your openness, for your willingness to share.

Classes and workshops

Occasionally I teach workshops, and I have one coming up this fall. Join me and stellar novelist Courtney Maum for RISK MORE, WRITE BETTER, an empowering weekend in a gorgeous old B&B that will jumpstart that project you've been wanting to work on. Space is limited, so apply here!

My latest book!

Learn more about my latest book, Eating from the Ground Up. It's perfect for all you vegetable lovers out there.