Saturday, May 12, 2007

Happy Mother's Day

Mother’s Day 2007 is only minutes away. I have been thinking about what to write for a while now. How can I express in just a few words what my mother has meant to me all these years? I can only try, but I’ll say right now, I’m going to fall way short. Indeed, with the cultural paradigm shift where “stay at home moms” (a.k.a. “housewives”) are the exception rather than the rule, when daycare has become a necessity if young families are to earn enough to realize the “American Dream,” mothers like mine are fewer and farther between than ever before.

And that’s a shame. My mother was and still is the cement that holds the family together. She has been the all to everyone and never failed to perform her tasks exceptionally, not just well. Her cooking is out of this world - she is on par with the world’s best gourmet chefs; she is a top-notch seamstress or tailor - take your pick - she could easily out-sew anyone - and I am not prone to exaggeration; she can knit and crochet like nobody's business - a high art if there ever was one; our house was always clean, the laundry always done - and all for nothing more than an occasional “thank you,” and often not even that.

But that’s not all: When it comes to the family finances, she keeps all in order. When the family business was handling much larger sums of money and had far more complicated bookkeeping to manage, she was up to the task. Did I mention taxi driver, classroom mom, lunch packer… how about your worst enemy if you crossed her children? Ya, she can be mighty formidable when necessary - I pity the fool her gets her dander up. She could make a boo-boo go away and when I was the odd friend out, she made that all right too.

It seems almost inadequate to dedicate just one Sunday every year to moms like mine who have done it all and excelled. She has world-class talent in so many areas… vastly different areas, that I can only wonder where she found the time to gain such mastery. My mom inspires me. If I can achieve just a small portion of what she has I will consider myself a success. I couldn’t have wished for a better mom… or a better role model.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom -

I love you.

Mike

13 comments:

carmilevy said...

The testament to her greatness lies in the kid she turned out. She obviously did an incredible job with you: writing like this doesn't simply emerge from a vacuum. Rather, it is nurtured in a home that encourages personal growth, that gives a child everything he/she needs to succeed.

I share your sentiment: it's too bad only one day a year is set aside to celebrate. I'd rather see a little slice of every day reserved for motherly reflection, kind of like the national anthem.

kenju said...

Carmi is right, Mike! She must be proud of who you turned out to be.

Now be a good boy and print this out and send it to your mom!!

The Mistress of the Dark said...

Sounds like my mom too! Wonderful post..

give her a hug for me...and Michele who says hi :)

awareness said...

beautiful!!

longspider said...

To all the great Mothers out there!

Thanks for stopping by... I left you a comment back :)

David Edward said...

your mom raised you right!
Happy day to you as well.

scrappintwinmom said...

I agree with David - your mom did raise you right. I can only hope as do as well raising my own kids. A wonderful post - Michele sent me and I'm glad she did.

phonera said...

emm,my mother had been never go to school but i learn sth. from my mother.though my mother cannot write or read but her words always give me power all the things she said are from experience but very right,i believe.i am still a college student now i cannot buy anything to my mother on 13/5/2007,all i can do is just called her and said:"Happy Mother’s Day Mom"

MsT said...

would love to see your "earliest memory" post if you would point me to the link or date. thanks for stopping by.

Snaggle Tooth said...

It's the world's toughest job, requiring the utmost flexibility and diversity of skills, the evidence is the one writing...

Anna said...

What a wonderful post to your mom....she sounds incredibly special....

Thanks Mike for writing a bit about her.

Moon said...

Great post!! Loved it!

ZoeyBella said...

As always, well written post. Nicely said :)