Thanks Mom

I hated being poor growing up. Poor, of course, being a relative term here in America. I was given two cars before I graduated college. That phrase alone describes, um, like maybe 3% of the world's population.

But I knew we were poor; we never had enough money to buy Windex. I would shamefully streak our windows with vinegar water and wipe them with newspaper. We were so poor we couldn't afford paper towels, either.

In fourth grade or so our school had an assembly about water. I think there was a guy in a water drop costume and he told us all how bad it is to waste water. I learned:

-To turn off the water while you brush your teeth. (This fact inspired me to run around the house as soon as I heard the sink faucet come on and then berate whichever family member happened to be brushing their teeth with shame for wasting our precious water resources. I was not very popular at home for quite some time largely in part due to this berating.)

-Not to flush dead bugs down the toilet. This was not a problem because my dad always took care of bugs, though I committed to staying vigilant nonetheless.

-That showers conserve much more water than baths. Short showers are the best. I think it took many years for the shame to wane enough to be able to actually relax in a bathtub.

Basically I took these environmental warnings very seriously. I think they partly used scare tactics with us and when you're talking to a first-born 9-year old perfectionist, scare tactics have the potential to rule your life. Which, as you can see from the teeth brushing description, they kind of did.

My mom was her own brand of hippy back then so I knew that she would appreciate my vigilance, but as I became a water conservation Nazi, she had to step in and put a stop to my juvenile extremism--besides, I was making all of my young friends feel very guilty about bath time. So she wisely calmed me down (actually I think she left a sink faucet running and said, "What? What are you going to do about it? The water will be recycled anyway. Get over it!") and I eventually mellowed.

Now, nearly 20 years later, I am working for a web-based environmental group (purely by accident, I assure you) called YourGuidetoGreen.com. And I am learning that my youthful vigilance was right on the money. My boss is very wise, though, and works to ensure that no guilt or stress is associated with a green lifestyle--something both my mom and I appreciate.

I am also learning that paper towels, Windex and other household cleaners are very, very bad for the environment.

Looking back, I am not sure if we really were that poor. Maybe my mom just knew how to make the green lifestyle transition pain-free long before anyone knew about being green. She is just that smart. And wise. And kind. And thoughtful. And I even think she watches how much water the family uses nowadays.