Just like every other person, I too have great memories of my Mom on this Mother’s Day. I recall that when growing up that on that little house on 38th Street in San Antonio, there was always laughter and warmth, and my Mom was a big part of us having happy elements in our lives. Even though she was the disciplinarian, she still showed us how to always have fun in everything we did. I still have vivid memories of her and Dad dancing rock and roll (mostly dancing the “Twist”) in that little kitchen that always brings a smile to my face.
Or the time that my baby brother, Eddie, would fall asleep in his high chair during dinner (because he wasn’t allowed to get off until he ate all his veggies). Mom would get after my other brothers, Frank and Bill, for shooting peas at Eddie, but I would tell her I was the guilty one doing the shooting. She would then dismiss my other brothers from the “scene of the crime”, and pretend to admonish me in front of them. Once my brothers left the scene, she would then give me the green light to get out of there with that little special smile on her face that I would recognize, that somehow told me that she knew the real story.
Or the time, going to my first “mix” party. I was invited to party by a classmate, and when my Mom was driving me to the party she asked me if I had gotten anything for girl putting on the party. Now, at the time, that thought had not even crossed my mind. However, I remember my Mom stopping at the first store on the way and buying some little trinket for the girl. But, of course, I couldn’t divulge to the girl that my Mom had purchased the gift, right?
Or the time when my Son was born two months early, and my Mom finding out that we did not yet have a crib for him. So, she insisted that we go to a department store to look for a crib. On the way to the store, I’m thinking that I didn’t have a lot of money to buy one (in the military back then I made $444 a month). When we saw the finest baby crib (that I knew I could not afford), she immediately knew my predicament and said she was paying for it. To this day, I still do not know how she knew I was thinking that.
So, thanks Mom, for all the great memories you’ve given me and our family. It’s hogwash what they say that only daughters have that special bond between their mothers….Sons have them too, Mom.
Have a great Mother’s Day Mom.
Te quiero mucho, Mi Madre. Un abrazo bien fuerte! – Tu Hijo Mayor.
Robert Collazo, 5/9/10.
