Lasts

"Lasts" That I Didn't Know Were Lasts... Laughing At My Jokes

The last time Mom would laugh at one of my silly jokes.

When I was in 11th grade, I devised a test to figure out if a girl was into me. I would say something to her that was painfully not funny, but I would say it with a tone of voice and a look in my eye that made clear I was trying to be funny. If the girl laughed, I was in. 

The test works because when someone genuinely likes you, everything you do is charming to them.

My mom would laugh at every little joke I made, whether it was clever or stillborn. That unconditional approval made the world seem like a safer place. I knew that no matter what was going on in my life, I could go home and find total acceptance. It was the truest safety net for life that I could ever hope to find. 

My mom was definitely into me.   

"Lasts" That I Didn't Know Were Lasts... Spaghetti Sauce

The last time I'd ever eat Mom's spaghetti sauce

My favorite meal at home was Mom's spaghetti and garlic bread. Mom made her own spaghetti sauce. I'm craving it just thinking of it now. After I'd eaten all the spaghetti, I'd dip my garlic bread in it to eat the rest. Dad called it Mother Mowdar's spaghetti, and he says that even if we find the recipe it won't be the same because it had the secret ingredient of her love for us.  What is certain is the meal wouldn't feel right with Mom's seat empty.