Mother’s Day

The pure purpose of a Mother is to wrestle with your children; physically, mentally, and spiritually all in the interest of prepping them for the World while worrying constantly.  Moms never stop worrying  about their children until Heaven calls them home.  Sometimes I wonder about that though.  My Mom and I tussled about everything – sports, religion, politics, the weather, you name it. Whatever position I had she took the polar opposite and vice versa.  Looking back, I think she did that to sharpen my debate skills. In any event our “discussions” would loudly disrupt the quiet of the lake house. It’s funny,  my sons argue with Diane in the same way; especially Devin. Once when he was in 8th grade and feeling cocky he challenged her to a wrestling match outside the Naples Beach Tiki Bar. That ended badly; he looked like he got dragged through the Sahara by a camel.  In another epic battle I had to step in and tell them they were both fighting to the death like Godzilla and Monthra while destroying the entire Japanese village.  Diane turned on me, “So you think I look like a giant moth?”  No dear, you look just fine.  I’ll just go hide under that crushed school bus over there and wait for you two to finish.

Moms do everything and want to control all things for you. That’s a challenge for guys since we’re independent, but Moms still want to help you when you’re sick. On a Friday night freshman year in high school I rolled in late with two quarts of Boone’s Farm Tickled Pink Wine under my belt, crawled into the bathroom, and created a crime scene straight out of “Dexter”.  I’m doing my best not to wake anyone up, but I hear my Mother banging on the door yelling “Let me in.” Why? ” So I can help you.” What are you going to do, puke for me?  After that it got so quiet I was afraid to leave the bathroom in case she was lurking out in the hallway.  When children are sick its really difficult for Moms.  I think about our one year old granddaughter Quinn who just got ear tubes last week. She’s happy, but I feel for her Mom Kelsey up late at night worrying. The same thing happened when Dillon had hernia surgery when he was 6 months old.  He was all smiles post – op, but Diane was still a mess nonetheless.

One of the hardest things I ever had to do as an adult was tell my Mom I had cancer.  It was surreal; I’m the one who’s sick but here I’m worrying about her.  We had a long, quiet, and peaceful conversation about life; a necessary chat after all those years of squabbling which made me realize the universe actually does unfold as it should. That seems like centuries ago, but it reminds me how petty we often get with our Moms when we are younger; not appreciating their wisdom  until long after they depart.  My Mom like Diane, however, was a force of nature, so her presence is still felt.  Whenever I have had big health setbacks Diane tells me my Mother comes to her in dreams, so Diane has to work hard to shoo her away.  On that note I’ll let those two titans battle it out, I’ll just hide under the bus until the coast is clear. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day,  Slainte!