The First Time I Felt Bad

Hey Mama,

Remember on Sundays we would go to church. This Sunday was Easter Sunday. This was a special day to you because in our family this was the day Jesus was resurrected. It meant that eternal life was granted to whoever believed in him. You always had a routine on Sunday mornings. You would cook breakfast, listen to music, wake me up to eat, then go and get yourself dressed. This morning I was tired from being up all-night watching cartoons on TV.

At the time I was 9 years old and was a very mischievous and stubborn child. I got up and told you “I’m tired”. You then replied in an agitated tone “I don’t want to hear that, you need to get up, eat, and get dressed because you’re not missing church today!” So, I got up, headed to the dining room, and ate my food. I was mad but I had a plan to make you mad to get pay back. I waited until I knew you would be going to shower, and I snuck in the bathroom, stood on top of the lid of the toilet, opened the mirror, and grabbed her dentures off the shelf. I took the dentures to the kitchen and threw them in the trash. I knew this would upset you. You finally got out the shower, put your clothes on, and headed to the dining room. Once you got in the dining room, you asked me “Are you done eating?” I replied “Yes!” with a smirk on my face. You head to the kitchen and throws the lefts over food on the plate in the trash. I got excited because I’m waiting to see if you had noticed the dentures. You didn’t. My plan was starting to work. You put the plate in the sink and head to your room. I followed. You tell me to get dressed and you go into your room bathroom. I acted as if I were going to get dressed and I hid behind the bathroom door peeping into the restroom waiting on you to open the mirror. You opened the mirror, noticed your dentures were gone, and started to panic. You never went anywhere in public without them. I chuckled then immediately put my hand over my mouth to keep you from hearing me. I ran to the bathroom to go shower. I could hear you making a fuss and pacing the floors. I laughed and thought to myself “Oh I got her now!” I completed my shower, went to my room, and got dressed. You came to my room and asked me “Have you seen my teeth?” I replied, “What teeth?” You said, “The teeth that go in my mouth girl!” I replied “No!” You stormed off and went to look more. I laughed and continued to get dressed. Fast forward to now it’s approaching time to leave and head to church. I say, “Ma did you find your teeth?” You reply “NO!” I said, “Did you check your room or the kitchen?” You reply “OMG, yes, hurry up, we have to go!” My plan had failed.

My plan was to put your teeth in the trash, you get upset because you don’t go anywhere without your teeth in, and we wouldn’t go to church so I could go get back in bed. It was at this moment after seeing you so upset, I realized I was wrong, and I shouldn’t have put your dentures in the trash. You weren’t trying to be mean to me by telling me it’s time to get up to start the day and do what we do every Sunday. So, I shouldn’t have been trying to be mean to you. You headed toward the front door, and I yelled “I have to pee!” You replied, “Hurry up!” I went and got your dentures out the trash, went to the kitchen sink, washed them with dish soap, and headed toward the front door. I told you “ Ma I found your teeth!” You replied, “Thank God, I would have been feeling embarrassed without them!” This day taught me to never try and hurt the people you love! Always be mindful, respectful, and loving. Rest In Heaven!

Love,

Your Babygirl!