What I Learned Interviewing my Mom

I’d like to think that I know my mom pretty well. I spent nine months in her womb (as one does), she raised me on her own after my dad passed away when I was a teen, and there’s rarely a day that goes by where we aren’t texting back and forth a series of gifs and emojis – we’re thick as thieves. But I realize there’s plenty of stuff I don’t know about my mom’s past, the time before I was around. Plus, I know there will come a day when I’m no longer able to send my mom a quick text asking her about her life experiences. So, I decided to interview her about her life and family traditions, so I can preserve those memories for years to come.

Maggie: Hey, mom! Thanks for taking the time for this interview. Oh, and for birthing me, putting up with me through my angsty teen years when I would only listen to The Smiths, and cooking a mean turkey chili for dinner tonight.

Mom: No problem, sweetpea.

Maggie: So, let’s get things started: when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Aside from my super awesome momma, of course.

Mom: Hmm, aside from that? I wanted to be an actress and a comedian.

Maggie: So, that’s why I’m so funny!

Mom: Don’t want to toot my own womb, but yeah, I probably had a hand in it. I was in a sketch group in New York City in the 1980’s, before I had you. We performed in a bunch of tiny clubs and had a bit of a following. It was no Saturday Night Live, but it was a fun time.

Maggie: I love getting to hear about your life before me. I can just imagine you onstage cracking people up. Also, I’m putting “toot my own womb” on a t-shirt.

Mom: Thanks, hon. I feel the same way when I get to see you perform.

Maggie: Aww, thanks mom. I owe all my funny bones to you. Shifting gears, what’s your favorite Mother’s Day memory?

Mom: All the ones I’ve spent with you.

Maggie: My only-child ego is flattered. But, come on, isn’t there a really great one that stands out?

Mom: Well, Mother’s Day 2021 was special. You had just moved into your first apartment on your own, and I got to come over and see it for the first time. My baby, all grown up! Then we got to go out to brunch at a restaurant, which I hadn’t done since March 2020 because of the pandemic. It was nice to have a mimosa outside again! And to spend time with you.

Maggie: Mimosas with Mom and Magz – we could have our own talk show!

Mom: We could, indeed. Call up Cher to lead the band!

Maggie: I’ll see what I can do. Okay next question: what’s your favorite family recipe?

Mom: That’s an easy one. Our classic Christmas Eve shrimp cocktail. It was a tradition passed down from my dad’s family. Every Christmas Eve, we’d get a pound of cooked shrimp, and make our family’s secret cocktail sauce recipe to go with it. We’ve done store-bought before, but nothing compares to your grandpa’s sauce.

Maggie: I’m gonna need that secret recipe. Along with your turkey chili one too! We can upload them to Lalo, an app where you can archive family memories like a digital scrapbook. You can put recipes in there, family photos and videos, and even audio clips like this interview!

Mom: You’re going to have to show me how to get that on my phone. I never know how to get the apps onto my Apple devices.

Maggie: Millennial to the rescue! Don’t worry, I gotcha momma.

Mom: Thanks, hon. Now, I have a question for you.

Maggie: Whoa! Flipping the interview on its head, here!

Mom: Always gotta keep you on your toes.

Maggie: Touché. Fire away!

Mom: What’s a favorite family memory that you always want to remember?

Maggie: Dang, that’s a good one! Apart from this interview?

Mom: Mmhmm.

Maggie: For one that includes all three of us? You, me, and dad? It would have to be going to the LA Times Festival of Books together every year when I was a kid. I was little, but I could sense how much fun you both would have going to panels and checking out new authors. It’s something I want to experience with my own family some day in the future. But, also, there have been so many memories that you and I have shared since dad’s passing. Honestly, one of my favorites was Christmas in 2020 – that year was rough, but I felt so lucky to be able to be home and celebrate with you. Christmas Eve shrimp cocktail included.

Mom: You also put on a hysterical Britney Spears elf outfit.

Maggie: That I did.

Mom: Going to need to upload that photo to Lalo, too.

Maggie: You know I will! Thanks so much for letting me interview you, mom!

Mom: Of course, sweetpea. I love you.

Maggie: I love you too!

Getting the chance to interview my mom helped me learn more about her that I might not have known otherwise. It also brought up a lot of great family memories (like that Christmas Eve photo), and gave me a greater appreciation for the beautiful moments we’ve shared. On top of that, it’s great to know that we can preserve our family memories by uploading them to Lalo. Our family secret cocktail sauce recipe (plus photos, journal entries, and voice recordings like the interview above) will finally have a digital home! What family memories would you want to preserve and pass on to future generations with Lalo?