Mother's Day 2006

Today is Mother’s Day and we all know what that means – only 34 days until Father’s Day. In preparation for the upcoming Father’s Day, The Trio wanted to fix their mother breakfast in bed, so we got out the two eggs we had left due to poor planning, some bacon and bread for toast. Because it’s a special day and they love their mother so much, they washed their hands before touching her food. Since that was the last of the eggs we all sat around watching her eat. After breakfast I fell asleep and I’m not sure, nor do I care, what went on around here. It was a beautiful day, in the low 70s with a nice breeze, so after that nap we went to Peabody Park to swing and slide with the other kids and their moms. All the running around in the sun, and the fact that only one of us had eaten any breakfast, made us all famished so went for lunch and a round of margaritas at Cafe Ole on what must be the nicest patio in Midtown. From lunch we went to Davis-Kidd bookstore, one of our favorite hangouts, then home where we all fell asleep. Well, we all napped except JP. I’m not real sure what he did while the rest of the house was asleep so I’m sorry if anyone received any odd phone calls. The cars were still parked where I left them so I’m fairly certain he didn’t go anywhere, or else his parking has just really improved. After waking up I did for Kristy what I do best – chores. I mowed the lawn and did some laundry.

For the most part, the kids behaved themselves for Mother’s Day and that’s always the best gift, isn’t it? That, and to be left alone.

My own mother told me years ago to be careful and conscientious because you never know what kind of future mother you’re marrying. She didn’t say this to dissuade me from a relationship with anyone in particular, it was just good motherly advice. She said a lot of things and you can categorize this one under Something I Remember. It’s true, though. You can know your prospective wife is a good dancer, a good painter, a good conversationalist and a good kisser, but until she gives birth there is no way to know what kind of mother she’ll be. I got lucky. The girl I met when I was 17 has turned out to be a caring, compassionate and enthusiastic mother. Not only is she good at actually having babies, but she’s good at protecting, nurturing and loving them as well.

In a few weeks I’ll have two daughters and all I can hope is that they’ll learn mothering – if it can be learned – from their mother. I am fortunate to have been raised by a supportive woman and to be married to one, and I’m sure that one day I’ll have grandchildren who will have mothers that are just as competent as their predecessors. They’ll raise their children to the best of their ability, unconditionally, loving them even when there is the slightest chance that one of them didn’t wash their hands before cooking them breakfast for Mother’s Day.