Eat your pie with a fork

Sherri T.

Sometimes the words of our mothers aren’t so wise in a deep sense. Like walk tall or heal the world. These are deep wise words. 

I talk about deep wise words in earlier blogs that focus on core values. These wise words help act as moral compass and important life guidance.

Yet sometimes the words of our mothers are wise in a gentle way. The words are not profound. And they definitely will not change the world.

But they may, in fact, change our lives. In small ways. And in quotable ways.

I recently offered a friend a cup of tea and asked if she would like to add some sugar. She looked at me quizzically. Do you not know this? Was this something you never learned?

She broke the awkward silence: “You drink your tea sweet. You drink your coffee bitter.”

Who knew? Clearly not me. 

Then she proceeded: “My grandma taught me this so there’s your answer.”  Who am I to argue with grandma?

Unfortunately, my own mother wasn’t that direct in her advice. One evening after dinner, she served a slice of pie to my sister and me. 

Blueberry. My favorite. Then and now.

She proceeded to ask: “Would you like a fork or a spoon with that?

Our reply: “Either is fine.”

Her reply: “Well, tell me. What do you want? A fork or a spoon?”

Our reply: “It doesn’t matter. Either one is good.”

Her reply: “Well, make up your mind. Which do you want? A fork or a spoon?”

Our reply: “Okay, a spoon.”

She brought a fork.

Our reply: “Why did you bring a fork when we asked for a spoon?”

Her reply: “Well you know that you don’t eat pie with a spoon.”

Our reply: “Then why did you ask?!” (Only we didn’t ask about asking. It was not worth the ask at that point.)

Funny how we learned very little from that piece of pie – other than a piece of etiquette.

The words may not have been so wise. And they may not have been so witty. But they are very worthy of an amusing story that still makes us smile.