I think I must have been about 7 years old. I had decided that I was being treated unfairly by my mother over some rule involving homework. So, in my 7-year-old mind I reasoned that I must teach my mother a lesson by running away from home. It was late afternoon of a chilly October day. I announced to my mother that I was leaving home and started packing my suitcase. My mother expressed her concern at my travel plans, but it was too late. My mind was made up. I finished packing and walked out the door, down the sidewalk and around the corner. As the afternoon light faded, I began to think that maybe a better plan would have been to run away from home in the friendly warm sunshine tomorrow morning. No, this was serious and had to go into immediate action. It occurred to me at that point that my plan would probably have the same dramatic effect if I just sneaked back to the house and hid in the carport long enough to devastate my dear mother and win this war of wills. So, craftily I slipped through the neighbor’s fence and made my way back home in clandestine fashion. Hidden behind a couple of boxes, I settled in and waited to be missed. I waited, and waited. I waited until sunset. I waited until dark. Nothing. . . my plan was falling apart. Finally, I heard the sound of the back door swinging open. My Mother walked straight to my hideout. But instead of admitting her mistake and hurrying me into the house, she very politely told me that I had forgotten my toothbrush. She handed it to me and returned inside. I was shocked. I had no backup plan for this, so I waited. I waited until my father got home from work. I was in uncharted waters now. I sat down on the back step and waited. I smelled supper cooking. I waited. Finally, the back door opened and my mother asked me if I wanted to take a plate with me, or did I want to come in and eat. That was it. It was time to raise the white flag. Patience, love
and reason had won out. That is what mothers do. They have a million ways with a gentle word or an understanding look to convey love and reassurance or provide an answer to a problem you have or just give you the certainty that everything is going to be alright, no matter what. Mothers have super powers and sometimes they don’t even realize how strong they are. Mothers are irreplaceable and special and each one is totally unique. Being a mother can be the best job in the world one day and the worst 24 hours you’ve ever known, the next. It is hard work. So, this Mother’s Day I think the best card anyone could give would say, Mom you don’t have to be perfect or rich or brilliant or right all the time, you just have to be MOM, My MOM. If she is with you, tell her that, and if she’s not, tell her anyway. I have a feeling she will hear you. Happy Mother’s Day.
