Happy Mother's Day!!
Life is the precious gift, bar none. And there is no greater sacrifice than a mother to a child. There is a bond, unbreakable, that a father can’t fathom, except for maybe me. Anyway, in the world I grew up in, from conception through death, Mom was and has been a mainstay in my life. Growing up, we did not always see eye-to-eye, especially when I grew taller and her shorter. And I will never forget the wooden spoon, “Jesus is going to get you,” or her love language: Eat! She wasn’t a hugger, but lasagna! Now we’re talking Love. I promise you; No One could express a greater love for another as she put together from scratch one of her famous lasagnas. She even lovingly rolled out the noodles. As I kid when I came home from school, damn nation, the house would set off the olfactory senses and one’s mouth would water like a garden hose at full stream.
And yes, Mom had her way of doing things. So much, in adulthood, we still struggled through the right and wrongs of daily life. And sadly, in life, it used to bug me when I’d hear the words: You’re just like Mom, or; You’re just like your mother. My thought would always be: Go pound sand. I’m nothing like Mom. Yet, as she aged, she never stopped her love language until her strength weakened to where she struggled to lift her lasagnas pans. So, in her indomitable spirit she switched gears and started making lasagna-non-lasagna. I guess in that vein, age has a way of catching up with each of us: The equalizer.
But then I had a son. The gift of life from the best woman he could get for a mother and for me, a wife. So, when he got older, we would fight like spoiled brats to see who got the batch when Mom would make a batch. I believe she loved the commotion created. Then one day it happened, Mom was there and then she was gone. In the blink of eye; no more. It happened so fast, it was surreal. The memories and pictures are all that’s left. Her voice, silenced, never to tell me I’m screwing up again. And in the cycle of life, my son has his mom to harass and enjoy. Just don’t forget, life is the gift. One that can be snatched away in an instant. And I’ll be damned: I’m a lot like Mom. So, if your mom is still here, hug her. With the biggest, most ferocious bear hug you can muster. Because one day you’ll wish you could. I damn sure do.
Happy Mother’s Day!