I have heard my mother swear on two occasions
And only two. Oddly enough, both times it was the f-bomb, and both times it was a fairly benign situation.

But think of that: Over thirty years I've known the woman, and in that time she's only sworn twice. I have friends who can't get through seven syllables without swearing twice.

Trivial bits aside: My mother does an incredible job teaching developmentally disabled children (autism, cerebral palsy, etc., etc.) and has done for years with very little reward and very little notice. She works twelve hour days, six days a week, because she cares so much about her kids. Every time I think about moaning about my life, I think about what she's done with hers, and I shut right up.

She's a bit reserved, but when the fecal matter hits the rotating blade, she's there for you. I've had to move in with her twice after major, life-altering Bad Stuff had happened, and she didn't even bat an eye, just had the extra bed ready and space in the basement for my stuff.

We don't always see eye-to-eye, but I know that she's got my back like no other, and if I ever wonder what the right thing to do is in a given situation, I can just imagine what she'd do.
(herbivorous, Fri 12 Feb 2010, 6:46, Reply)