via Pexels
“Aht Aht” was a Black mama's way of grabbing your attention before you got too close to danger. It was the fastest way to protect you when you were too young to know better.
“You got some McDonald’s money?” She never let you forget how much you depended on her generosity for your favorite treats, like Happy Meals. We also didn’t know back then how important budgeting is!
“You better know that schoolwork the way you know them song lyrics!” Mama sure did believe in our academic potential. We would’ve loved to tell her that homework didn’t come with a catchy beat but we knew better and “stayed in a child’s place.”
“Come turn off my light/close my door/bring me the remote...” When a Black mama yells a command, stop whatever you’re doing and handle it. Of course, she was always close enough to do it herself! But why would she when she had you?
“Close that door before you let a fly in and all my good air out!” Mama taught us to slow down and do what was necessary to keep good things in (like air conditioning in the summer) and bad things out (like pests).
Now that you’re grown with bills of your own to pay, you see why she kept on you about keeping that door secure at all times. Thanks for the valuable lessons mama!