There is a very special relationship between a son and his mother. She is the first woman in his life, and until he finally meets the woman he falls in love with, she is the most important female he has ever known.
She can't throw a football and has very little knowledge when it comes to the spread offense, but she is the one who gets acknowledged every time the camera scans the sideline and finds a ball player.
''Hi, Mom!''
Today we take a minute to thank the woman who brought us all into the world, for all the things she has done and sacrificed for her children. We thank her for teaching us and protecting us, but it hardly seems fair to only give her one day.
I will admit, I grew up with a terrific mother. She was a stay-at-home mom, who decided that a second household paycheck wasn't as important as being there as we grew up. She was a taxi driver who was always willing to drive a friend home after practice, no matter how badly they smelled; she was a cook who made sure that we ate well, even if eggplant was involved; she was a referee who stepped in to break up the fights and arguments that would pop up in a house with three sons; and she was a mentor who was always willing to sit with us and talk.
As I have mentioned before, my wife had a baby a little over two months ago, and she is about to celebrate her first Mother's Day. I have always participated on this day by looking back to the things my mother has done for me and showing her that I appreciate it all. However, now I am witnessing the beginning and growth of a mother.
Watching how easy the transition has been for my wife has made me realize that this parenting thing really is simply a part of them.
For all the things that our mothers have done and continue to do for us, we should thank them as much as possible. I still have my mother, and I am very grateful for that, but I know there are many who have had to say goodbye to theirs, and that makes it even more important to me to not take her for granted.
Across the country, mothers will be waking up this morning to the sound of clumsy feet rushing into her room followed by a tray/plate of questionable breakfast food. Burnt toast, burnt coffee and runny eggs seem to be the norm, but I can't imagine they enjoy a meal more. This is the time of year when card companies clean up and the elbow macaroni industry skyrockets. I know my mom still has some of the gifts I made for her in art class. The plaster hand prints and the innumerable pen holders still are in her room, because they remind her of when we were small.
I suppose I have finally realized what it means to really fall in love with someone, and it makes me understand how important those little memories are.
She watched us take our first steps, grow from cute children into awkward teenagers who can't understand why no girl will date them, and she watched as we left the nest to make it on our own. We may have our own houses, our own car and our own children, but she is still our mom.
Take more than a minute today to thank the moms in your life for all that they have done, and all that she will continue to do. Tell her you love her and let her know that you think she is, has been, and always will be an exceptional woman.
Joshua may be busy burning breakfast, but you can reach him at jflesher@tribtoday.com