It happened again just the other day. I was heading into the post office and a lady was behind me. I could have easily made it inside before she got to the door but instead I stopped, opened the door and stood aside so she could enter. Instead of the usual, “Thank you,” she said, “Your mother raised you right… thank her for me.” Oh, how I wish I could.
It’s been a few years since we lost Mom. She had a wonderful life and, if it is possible, a pretty good death… thanks to God, Hospice and a ton of loving relatives. Twila and I were with her when she passed and it was about as good as it gets. But, that isn’t what this is about.
I don’t need Mother’s Day to make me think of Mom… I think of her every day and still miss her. She was the rock in our family. Dad was great, but in tough situations it was Mom everybody wanted to hear from. And if I screwed up… it was always Mom who I dreaded finding out because she was not one to beat around the bush. She never failed to hold those she loved accountable and she never let a teachable moment go to waste.
I always said Mom would likely be in jail in today’s permissive, spoil-our-kids world. Mom loved to tell the story about how stubborn I was and if I got a spanking she knew she would have to do it twice. More than once she was forced to use a switch on my legs, flying me around like one of those little airplanes on a string as I ran around her screaming while she whipped me for the second time. I know a lot of you probably find that appalling. I thanked Mom before she was gone for those whippings and appreciate her even today… at 66 years old… because her loving discipline turned me into the man I am today… for good or bad… I guess.
Anyway, I digress… at which I am also good. In addition to discipline and when to keep my mouth shut, Mom taught and insisted on good manners from me… especially when dealing with the fairer sex. I thought it was silly and annoying when I was young. But by the time I started dating it came automatically to me and served me well.
The parents of the young ladies I was lucky enough to date were always impressed with my, “Yes, sir!” and “No, ma’am!” and the girls always appreciated my opening the car doors and building doors for them. I thought nothing of it early on but as I grew up I noticed many young men… and older guys, too… who never took notice of polite speech to their elders nor gallant behavior to their girlfriends, wives… or even strangers.
So, Mom, on this Mother’s Day, I say, “Thank you!” again for teaching me to be a polite person and for the positive attention it has often gotten me. I know you won’t get to read this printed and I suspect computers in Heaven are limited to playing old harp music recordings, but I suspect you know my heart… and my heart loves, appreciates and still misses you every day. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there… especially mine.
