Mother's Day started out in the usual way, the routine with which we are comfortable and accustom. Mr. Man and I got up & met the Motherly Unit and brother Lee for worship. We were walking in and the M.U. turned to Lee and said "this is a very different service!". I just had to chuckle and raise eyebrows at the brother. He chuckled in acknowledgment. She prefers a more traditional good ole Presbyterian service. She decided to break tradition and join us. It was a great service, and the music was outstanding as usual. Our associate pastor David gave the message. He is a wonderful Christian man that loves God and this is evident in his demeanor. I look up to David for many reasons, but mostly the fact that he is a devoted father. I love Tu also, David's wife, she is a worker bee that just doesn't stop. You know the type, boundless energy - where does that come from - with 3 kids, elderly parents living at home and a husband. I dare say that her days are full! David's sermons are raw and heartfelt. The polish will come with more experience!
In the fellowship hall I heard my name from across the hall - it was Eloise and Charlie, a couple that were on staff at Cursillo #50 (the best ever!). Their daughter, Tammy Mansfield (more about her later), worships with me at Parkway. It was wonderful to see them and I got a big hug!
We were at Crecheles at 11:00 for lunch. I had the fried shrimp - not as good as Chesterfields, but nonetheless wonderful. You know I feel most food is wonderful! We were greeted by Nick with a long stem peach colored rose. The great disappointment was the Lemon Ice Box Pie. It is usually to die for, but today, it was droopy and sad. We ordered one piece of pie for the 4 of us in honor of daddy - it was his favorite.
The Motherly Unit, Mr. Man, the Brother and I went to the matinee of Cats this afternoon. We love shows and on our trips to NY to visit family we try to see as many as possible and as many as out pocket books will afford. Parkway was well represented with Jennifer Hart being the musical director and Tammy Mansfield the lead as Grizabella, The Glamour Cat. She has an astounding voice and can really belt it out. She sang "Memories" - which the Motherly Unit commented that she was as good as Grizabella on Broadway. That is a great compliment considering this is a local production. HCLO really does an outstanding job. Our very on Tim Breland is President. As we were leaving the theater this afternoon they handed every mother a single, long stem fragrant red rose. My two favorite songs were in the production were "Memories" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJHzoAmA8Ec and "The Rum Tum Tugger" played by Ben Matheny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNCbharr18U. Mr. Man was mesmerized and paid complete attention. We sat with Hudson and his 2 mommies, Kathy and Susan. It was a perfect way to spend my Mothers Day afternoon. I came home and went straight for my pajamas!
The day would not be complete without my reflections and thoughts about my Mother. I have the greatest Mother! We have not always gotten along in my 46 years of life. I think probably all teenage girls dislike their mother. Hate is much too strong of a word. I don't HATE!! But over the years she has become my best friend. We don't always think alike, but she certainly respects my opinion and does not force her judgments on me. I so appreciate that in my mom. Her way of thinking is too confining for me. I can't live within those constraints. I need more flexibility about things. She knows that about me. When I had WNV and in the hospital, she told me that I did not want her to leave the hospital. I have no memory of all that. She took great care of me....a mom caring for her wounded. I recuperated at her house for a month afterward. She has taught me many important lessons in life. She taught me to work hard. She taught me to care for others - my mother is nothing if she is not a caretaker. This has gotten me in trouble at times (especially in light of the fact that I married an alcoholic - yea right, I can change him!!). But I learned from those self taught lessons. I learned the value of standing on ceremony and tradition. I learned the importance of family and heritage. I learned the difference in a salad fork and a dinner fork (Ohhhhh, too well). I learned the value of saving money, even when I didn't make much. She taught me to appreciate the arts. She had me take piano lessons for 10 years, and no, I can't play a lick now, but I can read music. She shared with me her love of travel. As a family we spent vacations in the car, driving from here to almost 40 states. She told me that a traveled person is a knowledgeable person. She taught me about Jesus and His Love for all mankind. She made me memorize the Westminister Shorter Catechism. I wasn't too thrilled at the time, but I did it out of respect for her. She taught me that some people are different and sameness would not lead to a varied and fulfilling life. I really could go on and on, but all this said, these are things I want to teach my son. These are the things I hold out as important. These are values and ideals that give life meaning. She is still teaching me things. She is an organizer. I wish I had that blood flowing thru my veins, but that is a struggle. I want to be like her!!! We depend on each other and we are happy. I am glad my mother and I are best friends.
I am a mom today and today was a great day. Mr. Man gave me a flower pot with a cut-out of a flower and his picture was the center of the flower. It is precious and I cherish it! It will find a niche somewhere special so I can remember this day, Mother's Day 2007.
Gratefully peaceful!
