Whenever we “wished” for something that my Mother thought was “frivolous” (like some other vegetable besides turnip and squash at Thanksgiving) she would plop a big spoon of turnip on our plates and say “Take what you’ve got and thank G-D you’ve got it.”
Even as adults wishing for a dishwasher, a bigger car or a more cooperative husband, we got that mini-lecture.
But she had another kind of response when it came to remedying an injustice, especially when it was inflicted on someone she loved, especially her daughters and granddaughters suffering from some misogynist’s bad behavior at work or school. When we complained about that we got a directive to move into action.
"You can't wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time. Do something!"
I can only imagine what she would have said to my grandchildren sneaking in an instant message on their phone under the table.
