Share This…Not Your Oats & More Ah, mammy. Half the country is currently packing up and getting ready to hit the road to see you.  It's the time of year for reflection and family bonding, so today we're paying tribute to the woman who brought you into this world and the life lessons that she taught you. Here are ten things you learned from your mam.  _____________________________________ How to Cook A Real Dinner Lets get one thing straight - you'll never cook a "mammy dinner" that rivals her own. She in turn will never feel her dinners are better than granny's. When you've been raised on the smell of a Sunday roast, it's near impossible to ever believe your kitchen endeavours are on par. There are some rules you'll take with you though - you can never have enough gravy and if there's any space left on the plate it's not enough food. "Sure that wouldn't feed a bird." There are a Million Ways to Catch Your Death Going to bed with wet hair, going out in that skirt, sitting on a cold floor. Danger is all around you - sure you'll catch your death like that. The Value of a Good Day's Drying When you were young you scoffed at mammy's sprint to the clothesline at the first sign of mist, or her sheer determination to power through five loads of washing on a windy day. Now, you're the one praying for a brisk, dry day and the chance to get that godforsaken clothes horse out from under your feet. You understand now. How to Negotiate The woman who brokered a peace treaty when yourself and your sister were at war over a missing doll? She could sort out world peace with a diplomatic mind like that. Sidenote: if all else fails it's fine to threaten the wooden spoon. (Maybe don't take that lesson with you, that's not ok these days.) The Value of "Just in Case" The scouts may have borrowed "Be Prepared" from your mammy. Wear clean knickers in case you get hit by a bus. Bring an umbrella to the beach. Unpack and repack the bag again to make sure you have everything. Call her the second you're home. She'll light a candle for you. "Just in case." There Is No Problem So Big... That a cup of tea won't solve it. That permanently boiling kettle is a veritable witches brew to cure what ails you. Maybe a few biscuits too. If You Want Something Done Well... It might not be the cheeriest life lesson you ever received, but it's a damn useful one. If you want a certain result, go out there and get it for yourself. No better woman. Making Someone Angry Is Not the Worst Thing We still get a shiver down our spine thinking of the day she said "I'm not angry with you, I'm disappointed in you." That one goes straight to the soul. I'll never do it again mammy! I swear! Time Heals All Wounds No matter how many times life knocked you back, mam was there to pick up the pieces and tell you it would all be okay again. Life never stops knocking you back, but now you know she's right without having to be told - what's for you won't pass you and tomorrow is another day. Home is Where the Heart Is Wherever you roam to and whatever road life takes you down, home is where your people are. Mammy knew it better than anyone, and it's probably the best lesson she ever taught you.   Happy Christmas Mammies, we love you!