Mother's Day

"Smokey Bones" barbecue is probably not the most extravagant of Mother’s Day lunch locations, but then again, my mother has never been one to demand extravagance. After sleeping in this morning (yes, we skipped church) my whole family circled our cards and gifts around the table in the center of the kitchen and watched my mom smile over our clumsy reminiscences at 11:30 in the morning. Then, piled in her Expedition, we drove to "Smokey Bones" here in Columbus. On the way we begged my mom to stop at "Hooters" for the “best Mother’s Day story ever!” But she simply shot us a couple of disapproving looks and we made our way the barbecue joint on the corner. It was a nice try!

I think my mother lives for days like these. Her three sons and her husband (finally) were all in the same place for a meal. We were all being loud and obnoxious and convincing her that she needed a new “happy dance”—a ritual Chris and I invented for Mom to show her joy in an activity by pumping both fists in the air like Ja Rule and rocking side to side. After lunch we came home and lunged about. This evening my dad, one of my brothers, Eric, and I went to Van Helssing for a little guy time and to give Mom some time alone. But, unlike me, she seemed to enjoy the solitude. She laid around the house most of the day, and she was fine with that. I guess when you have worked as hard and as long as her, it is nice to have a vacation from the hustle and bustle of every day life.

In my humble opinion, Mother’s Day must be the most underrated holiday in the country. Sure we celebrate the day at home with our mom’s, pump a few more dollars into the Hallmark portfolio, and buy cheesy gifts (mine was “James Earl Jones Reads the Bible”—a book on CD), but we rarely ruminate over the immense significance of the occasion. Easter, Christmas, Valentine’s Day—we nearly always spend some time pondering the origins of a holiday, but on Mother’s Day, we are content to accept the responsibility of pampering our pamperer for one day, and moving on with our lives.

In a world degrading under the weight of the disintegrating family, and in a culture in which love has become more self-centered than self-sacrificing, we should really ponder more the significance of these beautiful creatures who dedicate their lives to giving us life. For centuries mothers have held this planet together, and, if my own household is any indication, they remain the lynchpin of a fully functioning home (especially a home with no daughters) yet I know that with the exception of today, I rarely ponder my mother. Rather, I take for granted her love and sacrifice, and overlook her tireless dedication, charity, and loyalty.

In truth, my mother (as many of yours I am sure) means the world to me. She is my rock here on earth when all other ground seems so fragile and prone to shift. She is a smile when things are rough, and one voice who will always listen when I call. She is the source of what little virtue and charity I possess, and she is the catalyst of everything human and good in my life.

Today, I think I will spend an extra moment pondering Mother’s Day, and a few extra minutes in prayer. In a world that seems so vulnerable to this college grad, sometimes it seems that my mom, along with the rest of my wonderful family (and, of course God) is the only sure thing I have.