In this tumultuous world we currently live in where civility seems to be non-existent and grudges must be nursed into full-blown incidents I had to think back to our Hinkletown kitchen. Whenever I would come home from school with some new injustice or slight, and pour it all out to Mother, most likely when she was at the ironing board, or cooking, or cleaning – she would say, “And what did you do? Or say?”

What?! I was the injured party! Why was that an appropriate question?! And if it was a teacher issue, she would always take her part – “she has so many students to look after, it must be hard for her” or”maybe she misunderstood because she’s usually fair.” On and on the speculation about her view went on. It was very annoying.

And, in retrospect, enlightening. 

I think Donald Trump would have benefited with some after-school time in Mother’s kitchen.