If you wanna find out what ‘through thick and thin’ means in terms of application, most moms qualify as role models. I know mine sure does. Having just turned 77 last month she still works out regularly, signs up my local clients when their loan docs are ready, and makes Josh and I lunch on Thursdays. We call it Lunch At Mom’s. We get home cooked meals, get to hear great and sometimes forgotten family tales, and hugs from Mom (Grandma) when leaving.
So often it’s Mom who gets you through those tough spots in life when there’s not much anyone can do. They have that sixth sense mom’s have about what to do and say when their kids need ‘em.
She’s the one whose voice came through the crowd in Little League when, as a pitcher I couldn’t get a break. ‘Calm down’ in the soft, yet strong voice wafted through the din. Immediately calm. Figured a way for me to get my band uniform when, as a freshman I surprised everyone, mostly myself, by making the traveling marching band in a high school known regionally for their band. Oh, not impressed? That year at the Long Beach All Western Parade and band competition we took fifth place — out of all the high school bands in the 11 western states. In a word? We’re were flat out bitchen.
A single mom with kids in the 50′s and 60′s was no walk in the park, but she pulled it off. Looking back as a man with grown kids, I simply have no idea how she did it. She flat took care of business. If there’s ever a role model for true blue, take a bullet for the team, loyal to the end, don’t irritate the mother bear, mom? She’s it.
She’s never wavered in her faith in me, and there have been times when it made the difference. She and Grandma, along with her sisters, incredibly strong women all, are the reason strong women don’t scare me, and never have. I love strong women to death. Married one. You’ve heard her referred to here as The Boss, a term you should take the way it’s intended, which is literally. Upon meeting for the first time she asked me if I was intimidated by strong women. I laughed out loud, then told her I’d remind her she asked me that after she met Mom and her sisters.
My ability to remain calm in the storm while everyone around is running for cover, is a direct result of watching her in real life. The pressures of investment real estate? A joke compared to the pressure under which she consistently performed. Much of what I am today is due to watching her step up to the plate with the game on the line. The difference? It wasn’t a game, it was real life, with two kids depending on Mom comin’ through. Seems she’s been doing that most of her life. We should all have her batting average.
Mom reminds me so much of Grandma.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. I love you.
The following is offered as a warning to sons everywhere. If yer gonna have Mom on national live TV, you might wanna ensure you’ve been spending some time with her. Ya think she’ll be on next year?
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Ouch. Poor little rich girl.
You’ll never, ever be a victim of that, Jeff. And I say good for you. The greatest gift we have is time with our loved ones. I’m lucky at my age to still have my mother, both grandparents and my mother in law. I’ll have seen them all by today except one grandma who I’ll see Wednesday for her 88th birthday. No material gift in the world can surpass that.
That’s super, David. I had my last grandma ’till last month — she was 95, and was walking twice a day up to 94. Sounds like your grandma is goin’ strong.
I about fell off my chair laughing on that one. Well, my mom died 4 1/2 years ago, so for all those who still have living mom’s let that be a great teaching tool, spend time with them and hand write those cards