Good morning, and a very happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. There is not enough candy and flowers, cards and dinners, handmade gifts or even jewelry to let you know how much you mean to us. My Mom has been gone almost 19 years now, and I still remember the many things she taught me – most of the time without trying to teach a thing.

One of the oldest stories I remember about my Mom shows her sense of humor. Mom loved to laugh and to make others laugh as well. Early one April 1st she called several of her friends and neighbors, disguising her voice and telling them she was from the city water department. She informed them that repair crews would be working in the area that day, and that water would be shut off until that evening. They had 30 minutes to gather whatever water they would need for the day. Shortly thereafter she walked to her friends for a cup of coffee and laughed at the kitchen full of pots and pans, and in one case even a bath tub, filled with water.

One of the best things I can say about my Mom is that she “understood”. And understanding is a very important ability. Like most boys of my generation, I had little input into what clothes I owned. For many years I also had little interest. Of course, around Jr. high that started to change. Someone, or maybe a few someones, must have said something – I really don’t remember. What I do remember is Mom figuring out what the problem was and understanding. She didn’t hesitate, as I recall, she just got me in the car, drove to a “Men and Boys” store (this was very much a pre-Walmart time), gave me some money and waited in the car while I went in and bought something “stylish”. I can still remember the pants I bought. Understand, this took place in the late 60′s, and that I am partially color blind. They were bell-bottoms, of course. All cool pants around that time were bell-bottoms. And they were stripped. Stripes of several shades of green and yellow. They were hideously ugly (yet “in” at the time), and I loved them. Mom probably hated them, but she understood.

The thing that stood out about Mom, that all the world could see, was her strength. She was diagnosed with cancer in her late 50′s and underwent surgery, chemo, and all that goes along with that battle. One day she was in line at the pharmacy behind an elderly lady who was taking the pharmacist’s time to learn about her prescriptions. Another lady, younger than both Mom and the other customer, showed up and started to get vocal about the delay. Mom, politely at first, explained what was going on. The woman continued to grow impatient, and more vocal. A bit more forcefully, Mom told the woman that she would just have to wait. The elderly woman had several prescriptions, and was concerned and somewhat confused by them. Finally, after the third woman continued to express her displeasure at the wait, Mom again asked the woman to just wait. The woman tried to explain her impatience by saying, “I’m sorry, but I’ve had a really bad day. You just don’t understand how bad my day has been”.

Mom reached up and pulled off her wig, turned to the younger woman and said, “Honey, you have no idea what a bad day is”.

To all the Mom’s out there, thank you for your strength, your understanding, your heart, and for your unconditional love. You mean the very world to all of us. May God richly bless you today and every day.

Tweet