Mama didn’t say it often — but when she did, you knew somebody had really earned it.
It usually came after a long pause, a slow head shake, and that look. You know the one. The look that says, “Bless it…”
Mama would just sip her coffee and say, “Suzy, you can teach a lot of things… but you can’t fix stupid.”
Growing up, I thought Mama was being a little harsh. Surely, I figured, everyone could be helped with a little patience, a good explanation, maybe a casserole, and a heart-to-heart.
And wouldn’t you know it — life went on to prove her right. Over and over again.
Like the times I ignore clear directions and still blame the GPS. Or the person who argues with me using facts they just made up on the spot. Or the one who asks for advice, ignores it completely, then circles back, wondering why nothing worked.
Mama had a rule for that too: “Don’t wrestle with it.” (It, of course, being whatever brand of nonsense had wandered into your day.)
Instead, she believed in something far more effective — distance. Not rude, not loud, just a quiet step back. Maybe two.
So now, when I find myself in one of those situations, I can almost hear Mama in the background:
“Smile, nod … and back away, because you can’t fix stupid.”
It’s not giving up. It’s just good sense.
After all, Mama didn’t raise us to fix everything — just to know when to quit trying and go home.
What Mama said: Life lessons you didn’t know you needed — until Mama said them.
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