“There are just as many letters in the words “I love you” as there are in the words “I hate you“. There are also just as many syllables & letters in the phrase “let me help you” as there are in the phrase “you are so dumb.” What you say and the words you choose define the impact and influence you have on others. What do you want others to remember about you?“

At 5:00 this morning as we started to stir and get ready to start our day, my Husband went to the bathroom. He came back with a hate filled note taped to the sink by one of my children anonymously, intended for the person who left the empty TP roll on the sink. This note had only 7 words, one of which was profane starting with F and followed by several exclamation points. It was written with hate at some ungodly hour of the night because they were mad about something stupid. My Husband actually came back in the bedroom and said to me “a little excessive on the note huh?”. He thought I left the note. The note, ok maybe I would write a note however, it would be snarky and humorous just to make the point. I might draw a face on the roll with a word bubble telling the bathroom occupants to hide me in the recycling bin before Mom finds me. I wouldn’t however leave what he found sitting there in the bathroom, probably taped to the mirror.

In truth, I was probably the one that left it there by mistake. I usually throw it in the recycling bin, replace the empty one with a full roll and back fill an extra roll behind the toilet on the chance that someone forgets to replace it when it runs out. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been the one to throw the empty away when left on the sink. I have picked up so many dirty dishes from the living room that other occupants of my house including the author of this love letter have left carelessly out. I have done dishes that aren’t mine, laundry for everyone, cooked feasts for friends that aren’t mine and picked up belongings from the kitchen and living room that just get left out because said occupants are too lazy to clean up after themselves too. These occupants are the loves of my life but honestly, do you need to treat your family like this? I’ll be you wouldn’t treat your friends like that. Of course you wouldn’t!

Let me tell you something! I have spent almost 25 years being your mom. I’ve lived through heartaches, successes, been to almost EVERY single game “you” ever played and cheered “you” on even when “you” lost. I’ve hugged “you” when your father was giving “you” tough love and driven “you” anywhere “you” needed to go or let “you” use my car. I have never charged “you” a dime for rent or asked for help paying for the almost $300 a week in groceries. The list goes on and on and I never complain much. I believe I deserve just a little more respect than a nasty hate note left for me because in all reality I PROBABLY LEFT IT THERE because I was tired! And even if I didn’t, who do you think you are leaving a note like that for another member of your FAMILY! Shame on you! We don’t treat you that way, don’t treat us that way!

I don’t see the need for hate notes. I try not to be the naggy mom that always complains about stuff. You know the one that drives her kids OUT of the house just to get away from her. Nope NOT me. The world these days is full of those people. I don’t need them living in my house too. It takes just as much effort to say something nice or to just throw the roll away as it does to say something hurtful. Be nice because Mean People Suck!