I've Given Up

Dear Mom,

Please don't take this too seriously.  Please take it in the tongue-in-cheek manner in which it is being written, though these are all real things.

I have given up my toothbrush, because you have been using both of the toothbrushes in the holder on the sink.  I had the purple one for you, even though it's my favorite color too, but you end up using both.  So...both are yours now.  I have given up on having that nice, convenient spot on the sink to keep my toothbrushes.  Because if it is on the sink, you will most likely use it.  So...I keep mine under the sink/vanity.  I have given up on using twist ties for the loaves of bread.  You have been struggling twisting them back properly, and I have almost lost some pieces of bread as I pulled the bag out of the drawer.  So...I use clips now.  I have given up on simply reaching into the drawer and finding a clean fork or spoon to use, though sometimes I do.  You like to help me wash the dishes, and they don't always get as clean as they should.  So...I pretty much just wash each piece when I take it out.  That can be said for dishes sometimes as well.  I have given up on trying to be conservative about buying your Depends, to try to save a little money.  You seem to be using them a bit more lately.  So...I try to buy the 30 pack, or at least one small pack every time I am in the store.  I have given up trying to have set days for laundry each week, or even a set number of times that I do laundry each day.  So...I learn to go with the flow (sometimes literally) (so sorry for the bad pun :).  I have given up on keeping goodies in the house.  You love your sweets these days, so things don't stay long.  So...I just try to deal with that, it's probably better for my waistline that way anyway.  I have given up on giving you a few choices.  You have a hard time deciding and always just say that you want what I want.  So...I usually just get or do what I think you would like.  I have given up some of my food that I really wanted.  You see it, then decide you want what I had/have.  I tell you that it was supposed to be mine, you say you're sorry and tell me I can have it, or have what's left of it.  Then I end up feeling a little bit bad.  So...I bite my tongue (ouch!) and try to just let you have it, without saying too much (notice I said, I try!).  I have given up my nice, big trash can.  You had a smaller one in your room, but you always filled it with tissues and wouldn't think to empty it out.  Bella is the perfect height to reach into that trash can, and she loves (for whatever reason) tissues.  We would come home or even just be home in a different room and she would have shreds of tissue all over the floor.  You usually get upset with her when she does and try to tell her to clean up her mess (hmmm...), but you don't ever just think about emptying your trash.  So...I gave you my big trash can, one that is too tall for Bella to get into, and I took your small one.  I have given up times of just hanging out with friends, or hanging out for good amounts of time with friends.  I always feel guilty leaving you home for too long by yourself.  I also need to get home to make sure you have dinner, and I can't leave before I have made your breakfast and given you your meds in the morning.  So...I take care of breakfast then go where I need to, then when I go to the friend's, I leave early to get home to you.  For all the things I have "given up", I wouldn't give this up for the world.  I love having you home with me, I love being able to help take care of you and to be here for you as you have been there for me and given many things up for me through the years.  I love you!