Thinking of Mom

Celebrating My Mother’s Birthday

 

I’m a winter sort of guy.  I’ve always loved the snow and blow, the ice and cold, the short days and long nights.  Frozen fingers and toes don’t bother me.  The coziness of home and hearth is even nicer after I’ve spent the day out in the winter wonderland. 

But there is something about the springtime of year which thaws my heart to the idea of the summer sun.  I like to see my loved ones happy, and anyone who knows my Beautiful Wife knows that a warm sunny day will brighten her like magic.  But there is another woman who I have watched bask in the warming sun of May as long as I can remember. 

My mother was raised on the British Colombian coast.  Her happy childhood memories include the sun and sand of the beach.  It was love and romance that brought her to the snow and blow of Southeastern Idaho.  I’ve watched her endure our Idaho winters year after year.  And then usually in May, even in southeastern Idaho, the sun stretches higher in the sky and Mother Earth below responds accordingly. 

As a child, I always thought that the emerging flowers were simply the earth decorating for my mother’s birthday which is in early May.  In my young mind, Mothers Day celebrations were simply everyone celebrating my mother’s birthday which was sometimes very close to that second Sunday in May. 

My mother has always been a quiet force for good.  She is content to work in the background, making sure that those around her are successful and happy.  She has literally been the woman holding the ladder while my father climbed his way to success in life.  She is still holding the ladder for my dad while he climbs his way through a devastating illness. 

My mother is the same way with each her seven living children. I know that all of my other siblings could tell their own stories of her support and what she’s done for them in the past, or even now in the present.  I think a story of my high school days is good example of how she is always there as a support and help when we need it. 

One of my extra curricular activities in high school was choir.  It wasn’t just any old choir, but I was a member of what I felt like was the best select high school choir anywhere around.  The Bel Cantos even back then had a legacy of excellence as we performed all over the area.  We even went on tour to other places. 

This was our school’s homecoming week back in the fall of 1977, and I was one of the officers of the Bel Cantos.  In line with our determination to be the best at anything we did, we had designed a float for the homecoming parade which was more than ambitious for busy high school students.  I can’t remember the theme of the float, but I’ll never forget the design. 

We started with a Volkswagen Bug, made a thirteen foot ball over the top of it out of construction rebar (the steel reinforcement that goes in concrete), and covered this steel rebar with chicken wire.  We then attached two 12 foot carpet tubes end to end for a 24 foot quarter note staff out the back, and cut an 8 foot panel into an eighth note flag.  Our giant eighth note on wheels had a clever slogan (which I have now forgotten) on both sides.   

The problem with the Bel Cantos was that these were the kids who were in EVERYTHING at school.  So when it came to making our clever plans a reality, I was left holding the bag.  Most of my fellow Bel Cantos were also in every other club and group who were also making floats for our big parade.  So the reality was, I had the lion share of actually building that float. 

Construction of the under frame went very quickly.  We had purchased 15,000 napkins from a paper products wholesaler to stuff the 13 foot chicken wire ball. But only a few others came along that night to help me stuff all those napkins.  After a few hours of work they went home, and I was left looking at one fourth beautifully napkin stuffed, three fouths bare chicken wire ball fastened to that Volkswagen.  Now my reputation for following through was at stake.  I didn’t stop working all night.  The only break I took the next day was to go in to the school for my Senior Picture. (My glassy eyed stare in that picture still reminds me how tired I was that day.) 

It was about 8:00pm that night, (starting into my 2nd night of no sleep) that I realized we would run out of napkins.  I went home and told my mom that it was a hopeless cause.  We wouldn’t have a float in the parade the next morning after all.  Now up to that point, I hadn’t even been aware that my mom had paid particular attention to this project.  She had remained in the background as my fellow choir members came and went and the work progressed slowly.  But the moment I walked into the house and declared defeat, she sprang into action. 

“You’re NOT going to quit now!  Not after all the work you’ve put into it.”

“But I have no choice.  We are out of napkins and the paper supplier is closed now.”

Before I could even spell out just how hopeless the whole thing was my mother was steering me back on course.

“Let’s go to all the grocery stores in the area and buy all their white napkins… Take down those small signs on the sides and make BIG ones to cover up more bare chicken wire… It’s time to call in the rest of the choir.  It’s their float too.” 

By midnight that night, our beautiful float was ready for the parade and I got a good night sleep before driving it to town where we won an award for most original float. 

Yes, my mother doesn’t really like to be out on stage any more than she likes the snow and cold, but she sure knows how to make those of us who are on stage, look good.  Obviously, this is just one of the many ways she has always showed her love for us.  When it comes to loving us, my mother’s actions always spoke louder than her quiet spoken, soft words.  So this year as Mother Nature gives my mother the same birthday gift of warmth and beauty of late spring, I’m thinking of the gift of support and encouragement that she always gives to us year around.  As I see Mother’s Day advertisements, it reminds me that people everywhere are still helping me celebrate my mother’s birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom.  I love you back.    

23 thoughts on “Thinking of Mom”

  1. Great story and what a wonderful mother to have….  I really love reading about your stable loving family.  Something for all of us to strive for….

  2. I’m glad that your mom was/is so supportive.  You certainly deserve such a mom, being such a caring son and dad yourself!

  3. A great mother !
    From your article,I saw   a quiet supporter in the backgroud,with encouraging words.I think she must be a optimistic person.I believe you must own a lot of qualities from your mother.
    Happy birthday to your mother 🙂

  4. You write this so beautifully! What a wonderful tribute to your loving mother, and to all mothers in the world who give that great love to their children and family.

  5. Wow.  I’m sure Mom will count this as one of her best birthday presents. You sure do have a way with words, Bro.
    I don’t remember the Bel Canto float incident.  I guess I was just too caught up in my own little world. Either that or Alzheimer’s is setting in.

  6. You have gone and done it again. Please tell your mom that your adopted sister in Bloggerville wishes her a wonderful birthday! LOL,  I just loved this story. Mom’s are great for coming to our rescue. I still feel warm and happy when I talk to my mom on the phone. When I hang up I usually smile then cry wishing I didn’t live so far away.

  7. Hi Ron…What an awesome story.  Mom’s are special.  So are sons..I read your piece on Joshua also.  How proud you must be.  You are blessed with being able to tell it too. 
    Hugs,
    ~Linda~

  8. Odd coincidence – my Mother’s birthday falls on or near Mothering Sunday, 25th March. Even now,almost 10 years after her death, many of her sayings come to mind almost on a daily basis.

  9. Hi, its been so long sense ihave been here to visit you..
    you have been missed..
    This post about your mom is so moving.. they are our strength that is for sure..
    I hope your day is soft.. and filled with wonderful delights..
    soft hugs ~Hope

  10. Your descriptions of Mom’s quiet support are so true.  I can’t even begin to count all the times she worked behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly and give each of us the support we needed.  Great tribute to the best Mom ever!
    Catherine

  11. Hi Ron,
    It’s obvious that your mom had an enormous influence in creating the loving supportive family man that you are. There is no greater accomplishment. My mother in law’s birthday is May 7th, so we’ve had the dual birthday/mother’s day celebration sometimes too.  

  12. Hi Ron,  What a wonderful tribute to your mom.  It also is a tribute to what you have become.  I’m sure that your own children have the same kind of influence from a mother that is determined to see them succeed.  I’ll have to call you and catch you up to date on the bee project after I check on them in a week or so.  I hope all is well with you.  🙂  Kent

  13. Ok.. happy mothers day to your wife.. hahahahah… treat her great and wonderful and great food.. hahaha.. LIKE YOU ALWAYS do.. hehhehe.. You are a wonderful husband.. !!!!  Love, the wifey

  14. Yes, you are blessed.  Father’s Day is coming soon.  I know you a one busy guy.
    Hugs,
    ~Linda~

  15. Hi Ron.  Is your move going to change things for your drive much one way or another?  Just came by to say hi to the busy family.  Lots to do, I know. 
    Hugs,
    ~Linda~

  16. Its been awhile since i have been here, thought i better get by to see what i have been missing out on !!!!
    What a very nice and touching post you have here. Hope all has been going well with you and that your move isnt wearing you out too much !
    Beth

  17. Happy Birthday Ron!
    I hope you have a great day and can enjoy some time with Vallerie and the kids.  You deserve to have a day off. ( doubt you’ll get it from your work or the move but who knows…)  Anyway, do something fun today and if I can find your number I may try to call you. (for my yearly phone call) 
    Catherine

  18. Hi Ron,
    Have a very Happy Birthday!!   Enjoy your wonderful family and I’m sure you’re counting your blessings  🙂
    I love your stories.  I, too, am very interested in genealogy.

  19. Happy happy birthday Ronnie dear
    Happy days will come to you all year.
    If I had one wish, then it would be…
    A happy happy birthday, to you from meeeeeeee!!!!!!
     

  20. What a great great story.  Thanks for sharing it.  Sounds like my mom who is always "holding the laddar."  What a gift you have in her and the fact that you know it…wow!

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