Great Expectations

It's funny how childhood traditions and routines become adult habits. There were many lessons taught to me by my mother, but the one that stands out most as an adult is keeping a clean living space.

Not a museum or shrine with furniture that can't be sat on, but things like not going to sleep with dirty dishes in the sink, making my bed every morning, and keeping my bathroom clean daily. Those types of routines...a well lived in home that is also "kept up".

I'm a whole adult with two young adult sons, but every time my mom comes to visit, the little girl in me springs into action. It has become so much of my muscle memory that my boys say, "Mama Cheryl must be coming!" And then they miraculously know how to wash towels and sweep floors.

One time, when I was rich, I even hired a cleaning lady because I had such a busy week that I knew I couldn't get things in order to meet her unspoken expectations.

And with all of that, she will still find something to clean while she's here. "Do you need anything under that sink? I'm going to gut that pantry and reorganize." And my favorite is when she washes my washing machine. Oh...and she cooks, too. My kids embarrass me by acting like they hadn't had a meal in days when she's in the kitchen.

I guess no matter how much I try to prepare for her visit, she will always find ways to make things better. And I appreciate her for that because there are some physical tasks that I honestly can't do. She's the GOAT and I hope she feels every ounce of love I send her!

I hope that when it's time to visit my sons, they will spring into action with their kids because their "Vivi" is on the way! [But not too soon, though]

Chime in...what are some childhood routines that have become your adult habits?