health
March 12, 2026
My mother’s best advice: always play it by ear
In her wisdom, Mum taught me to roll with the punches, and reassured me that she’d always be there – even when I staggered in much the worse for wear

TL;DR
- The mother's phrase "Let's play it by ear" means life happens, plans change, and she's always there for her child.
- The mother is portrayed as selfless, always putting others first, even staying up late to ensure her adult child gets home safely.
- The author contrasts their own reserved communication style with their mother's talkative nature.
- A humorous anecdote illustrates the escalation of a simple phone call about a missed milk delivery.
- The author acknowledges taking advantage of their mother's flexible approach to plans, often due to last-minute work or travel issues.
- Despite unpredictable arrivals, the author always feels welcomed back to their parents' home.
- The author expresses admiration for their mother's patience and wishes they could be half as patient.
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