Happy Mother's Day

Now if you’re suddenly in a panic from reading the title of this post thinking, “I didn’t know it was Mother’s Day already?” relax. There are still eighteen shopping days left until that glorious Sunday in May. If however, you listen to the radio (or TV if you have cable) you would think it’s in the next ten minutes. "Hurry…don’t wait…go spend your money today while the selection is still good." Ah yes, it’s commercialism at its finest once again.

Don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against celebrating a day for mothers everywhere, but the feeling the retailers give of having to buy her affection is nothing short of irritating. If you’re blessed to have a mom like mine, you should by all means take time to stop by and visit her, pick up the phone and call, take her a card or buy her some flowers if you can afford to. Your mom probably worked hard raising and caring for you, for that she should be acknowledged, but that should be an act of love from your heart, not because someone guilted you into it.

I just heard an add that said “Flowers and chocolates don’t cut it anymore, get her what she really wants, get her a new cell phone. Yeah, nothing says I love you like a new phone with a two year service contract!

There’s another irritating clod that claims to be my, “Friend in the diamond business.” He would love to sell me (or anyone else for that matter) a ring or pendant with a diamond the size of Rhode Island on it, and as an added bonus finance it for me regardless of my credit. I don’t know about you, but I just want to go up to him and give him a great big hug. What a thoughtful guy!

There was another add I heard that was a bit disturbing from a jewelry guy… go figure. This guy was my, “Friend in the pearl business”. Oh wait a minute…same guy come to think of it, just being extra friendly I guess. Anyway he wants to make me a deal on a necklace. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t giving your mom a pearl necklace, no matter what the occasion, completely wrong on every level? Even if you’re from some three tooth backwards, hillbilly state where your mom and your sister are one in the same person it still can’t be right. Eeeeewwww.

Personally I think I’m going to get mom a kidney this year. Imagine the surprise on her face when she opens the box and looks under the dry ice to find that little gem! I sure hope I get her one in her size.

While we’re on the subject, (Mother’s day that is, not organ harvesting), how about buying a present for a wife on Mother’s Day? If the two of you are parents should you feel obligated to do this? Personally I don’t buy into this one either. I’ll be happy to help my boys make her a card, take them out to pick some flowers or assist them in making a meal for her, but going out and buying a present by myself for her just doesn’t seem like part of the program. Yes she’s helping raise our children, but I’m sorry, she’s still not my mother.

One final word in edgewise on the subject, in June when Father’s day rolls around, all of this same stuff applies with the roles reversed.

Oh by the way, if you would like to read a warm heartfelt poem about me, please go by and visit my brother Gene at “Turning the Pages of Life”. You might want to have a few tissues on hand though as I’m sure you’ll be in tears before you get to the end of it.