Pride Goeth Before a Fall - Don't Get Ideas Above Your Station

Following on from my previous post about boasting, here are some of the ways we were given the message not to brag from my parents, usually Mumsie. A typical 'nearly boast' would be handled like this:


Brother Les: Woo-hoo! I've passed my cycling proficiency test.
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Mumsie: That's nice, dear. Now I won't be worried that you'll off your bike when I send you to buy potatoes.
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Me: Oh Mumsie, I'm so proud - I've finally learned to swim.
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Mumsie: That'll be good, Ducky. You'll be able to rescue your Dad if he falls in the lake when the pair of you are fishing.
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Les: I've asked Kath to marry me and she said 'Yes', (Running round the living room flapping his arms in excitement.)
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Mumsie: Oh good, your Dad could do with a new suit.
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Me: Guess what? I've won a scholarship to Grammer School.
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Mumsie: That's great you'll pass the Bakers shop everyday. You could pick up my bread order on your way home.
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I used to think that NOTHING could impress her. It was only as I got older, that I realised when you looked closer when she handing out such comments you could just about detect the spark of pride in her eye and the contented heave of her (ample) bosom.
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She rarely tells us how proud of us she is, she tells others. People tell me she does.
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All the time.
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To everyone and anyone.
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She boasts about her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Look at the pic can't you see her bursting with pride with my granddaughter
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She just doesn't want us to get a big head, or draw attention to ourselves.
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Sometimes she's not not subtle with her remarks, and she makes us all laugh, including herself.
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One of her best put-downs ever was when one her grandchildren, I don't remember which. (Well actually, I do, but I don't like to boast about him!,)He came running in during a Saturday Lunch, excitedly wafting his A-level results in the air.
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"Nanny, Nanny - Look, I got FIVE 'A's"
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"Lovely," she said. I could see the pride she was trying to hide, and she even had a tear in her eye. Then she sniffed, looked down at her lap, and flicked away an imaginary crumb. We were all waiting to see what her reaction was going to be.
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Then under her breath she whispered, .........................................
.......................
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"Clever shit!"
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As often happens, Mumsie reduced all of us to a fit of giggles.