Mother’s Day is a uniquely bright and sunny reflection by everyone; even the media and internet trolls give it a day’s pass from the normal negativity.  Most social media comments are bold shout outs to Mom – you don’t see scorching rebukes of mothers on Mother’s Day.  (The Tik Tok wet blankets, however, will crawl out on Monday).  Interesting enough, the purest reflections about Moms happen after they pass away.  Sometimes I wonder if people do that since they know their Mother won’t be able to correct their spelling or challenge the post’s sincerity.  “If you really feel that way how come you don’t post something nice about me every year; like your second cousin Maury? Was that an eye roll?”  We each have unique experiences with our mothers which in hind site are fantastic, but the steps taken to the Mother’s Day Hall of Fame are long ones.

Lucky for me Diane was once an elementary school teacher.  Although I am biased, she would be called a teacher’s teacher today.  She got in early, worked late, went into her class room on the weekends, and even traveled into the rough side of South St. Petersburg to visit homes of her 4th grade students.  She was both a loving and no non sense teacher whose students still reach out to her 30 years later.  That’s great, right? Unless you were one of her sons.  Rather than stay in teaching Diane decided to raise three boys in a micro class room so she treated them the same way she treated her students; with an iron fist wrapped in a velvet glove.  98% of all issues in the house she took care of while the 2% grouping was left for me, the junk yard dog.  In reality I think that I got those assignments so we wouldn’t have murder charges filed in the house.

David married Tatiana last weekend; Tatiana was once a teacher.  Dillon and Carly get married in December; Carly was once a teacher.  Devin’s wife Kelsey teaches Speech Pathology in Texas.  You are probably assuming that the wild Lawson men need teachers for spouses pulling us by the ears through the curriculum of life.  That’s a safe bet.  In spite of all the epic battles between the boys and Diane that I witnessed from a safe distance, you couldn’t miss the glow radiating from her smile this wedding weekend.  Yeah, we make our Moms’ lives hell, but she still loves us anyway in spite of ourselves.  And that is what Mother’s Day is all about.   Slainte.

17 Comments

  1. Beautiful picture of a proud mama and her handsome boys!!! Congratulations to David and Tatiana! Definitely a velvet glove and I’m pretty positive you’re right about possible criminal charges! Junk yard dog! Diane is one of the dearest people I have met in this life, so lucky 🍀 to have our paths cross! She’s the best of people!! Stay well!

  2. I am very thankful for my mother who kept me from worst punishment than I got
    I will take things to my grave rather than break my mother’s heart
    She probably knows more than I would like to believe

    1. Richard, your Mom was the best; I know she also put up with your friends’ nonsense in addition to yours. They definitely carry a heavy load. Pete

  3. Mr. Pete…teaching is tough. Only the strong survive. But…the kids can see right through who cares about their well-being and who doesn’t. The most important job as a teacher…is conveying to the them that we care. 💕

    I really liked this post…and…the picture radiates love and happiness. It is uplifting. I am glad that you had a special weekend. 💕

    For the record…my mom used to hide in the bathroom when I would come home from high school…but I think she has forgiven me for all the sassy comments and eye rolling. Thank God. 🙏🏻 A mother’s love is infinite…and cannot be replaced.

    After I read the end of your blog today…it reminded me of the Peanut’s Christmas special where Linus said…”And that’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” Cash and I impersonate the dance moves in that show and they crack us up. But … the message is spot on…and I enjoy it just the same as your words. 🍀🪳💕

    1. Elisa, I remember fondly all of the great teachers I have know from grade school to college. As you said not all of them are great at it, so it’s a blessing to be taught by a great one. The last sentence in the post is from Linus’ speech on the real meaning of Christmas. I changed it around a little for Mother’s Day. Slainte. Pete

  4. You be a lucky man, Mr. Lawson. We are both long serving members of The Lucky Man’s Club; however, while I am simply a member, you are at least Vice-Chair… My best to the newly wed couple!

    1. Diane is an amazing Mom who married an equally amazing man. I often wondered how she kept it all together. I know she did quite a bit of singing to them, when they misbehaved in public, and a lovely set of Bubba teeth that would usually defused any situation. 😂🤣😂🤣

Thanks for reading and letting me know your thoughts!