Three Little Words

Mothers are the masters of brevity. They have to be because family members are not into lengthy communications. Actually, family members don’t relish most short ones, either. Over the years, a mother acquires a standard repertoire of three-little-word phrases. Here are a few:

Brush your teeth. Comb your hair. Come and eat. Make your bed. Wash your face. Tie your shoes. Pick it up. Wipe it up. Find your shoes. Don’t spill it. Listen to me. Just a minute. Wipe your nose. Put it away. One more time. Answer the phone. Use the hamper. Flush the toilet. Don’t try it. Clean your room. Take it outside. That did it. Oh . . . I guess. Be more careful. Hang it up. Clean it up. Shut the door. Open the door. Who did it? Don’t lose it. Turn it down. Tell Mommy, "Potty." Get a haircut. Break it up. It’s for you. Is that yours? Empty the garbage. Wash your hands. Clear the table. Do the dishes. I can’t hear. I CAN’T HEAR! Yes, you can. I said no. Talk to me. Call your brothers. Turn it off. Not so fast. Stop that racket. Where’s the aspirin? Take it back. Leave her alone. Let Mommy sleep. Be more quiet. Wipe the counter. Bring it home. Change the channel. Stop teasing her. No more fighting. Do your homework. Don’t touch that. No more cookies. Are you kidding? Come straight home. No means no. Will you listen? Look it up. You did what? Go to bed. Say your prayers. What’s that noise? No more drinks. Get to sleep.

There’s a good reason why we keep at it day after day, month after month and year after year. Three little words . . . I love you.