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| This is what my sons would look like if they were dogs. |
When I was a teenager, I saw a mom with a baby in her arms
and two active youngsters in tow. Though they were little fireballs of energy,
she was totally calm and even looked fabulous. “I want to be like that when I
get old,” I thought.
Fast forward 30 years, and I realize I’m nothing like that
woman. In fact, I hate her. I’d punch her if I saw her today.
What happened to me? I had dreams of being a cool mom.
Someone whose presence creates calmness, who little children enjoy, who peers
come to for wisdom. Instead, I’m tense, paranoid (only because everyone is out
to get me), and people generally avoid me. Even my dumb friends at the
Quickie Mart (shout out to Dodie and Lola) keep their distance, as if I have
head lice. Which I don’t anymore.
But my husband said I’m a great mom because I love my kids
and have done my best to raise them. It’s true. I’ve raised three wonderful
sons who still have all their limbs and several shirts, and I call that a win.
How about you mothers? Are you terrific moms like me? What did
you do on Mother’s Day?
I just wanted to relax. I asked my family to take me to my favorite restaurant for dinner. Of
course, none of my sons bothered to make reservations, so I had to place the call
myself, only to learn the restaurant was fully booked for Mother’s Day. As I
hung up the phone disappointed, my eyes shot bullets of rage at my sons. They
tried to scatter, but I shoved my youngest child to the ground in a fury (the
weakest of the boys thanks to a leg brace) and screamed, “Now you owe me!”
I told the kids they needed to enter me in a Mother’s Day contest
at the local pizzeria to win us one free pizza a week for a year. All
they had to do is submit a few sentences saying why I am the best mom ever.
But Hans and Roberto had a hard time describing me without
using words like nag, scream, angry, and condescending. And Raphael had trouble
describing me with any words at all, on account of his illiteracy.
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| I've heard that even bears can be mothers. |
I got fed up
with their whining. “Listen, I’ve worked my fingers to the bone for you kids, and I've EARNED that free meal every
week, so you'd better think hard if you ever want to eat again!” I threatened. I suggested more positive adjectives, “patient, charming,
fun-loving,” but one of my sons read the rules, which said the essays can’t be
fictional.
My friend Kibbie suggested I tell the boys to write about the kind of mom they would have liked to have had. She said maybe the kids had trouble writing because sometimes I act demanding and unreasonable. I set her car on fire. Who's unreasonable now, Kibbie?
Anyhow, somehow the boys were motivated to write. The youngest son
ostensibly wrote about me, but I have a sneaky suspicion he was just sucking up to the judges: “My
mom is the best mom ever because she is cheesy and thick, like your fresh, delicious pizzas. Every time I think of them, it warms my heart and
makes me proud I’m Italian, like you fine pizzeria owners. And that's why I love my mom.”
The oldest son played to
the judges’ sympathies. “My brothers and I are so, so hungry. For the love of
God, please let us win this contest. Any food you could spare would be much appreciated.”
The middle son, Raphael, sat on the sofa and perused his picture book,
which kept him occupied the rest of the night.
Still, I realized that if two of my sons racked
their brains for several days to come up with such beautiful essays about
me, I must be a pretty awesome mom. Now this might have already been obvious to you, gentle reader, but sometimes even I need a reminder how
great I am.
Anyway, I hope all you awesome moms out there (but not the lesser moms) had a
wonderful Mother’s Day.
Your pal,
Jackie
