Are You My Mother?

Remember that popular Dr. Seuss book, "Are You My Mother?". I must haveread it to my girls a kazillion times when they were little. They wouldlaugh when the little big eyed bird would ask the bulldozer if it washis mother? Or the cow? Then finally the little bird found it's motherwho had been out catching a worm for her little baby bird, a veryreassuring ending. "Again, momma, " my baby birds would cry, "Read itagain."
That was many years ago but as Mother's Day rolled around again thispast Sunday I remembered fondly reading that book and asking myself thenew question, "What makes a good mother?" Both my girls were gone onMother's Day. One on a end of school Jefferson Junior High StudentCouncil educational trip to Atlanta, Georgia. I had been receivingphone calls daily giving a blow by blow account of each and every stopalong the way. "Mom, Mom, we're at the CNN studios in Atlanta."It was very early my friends. Barely awake, I mumbled, "That's niceMadeleine."
"Mom, mom, I think we might get to see that old guy. You know the old guy?""Do you mean Anderson Cooper, Madeleine. But he's not that old, he justhas prematurely grey hair.""No, mom, mom, that old guy that interviews authors.""Oh, Madeleine, you mean Larry King?""Yeah, mom, that old dude."
By now I'm laughing as I'm thinking it is way too early for thisconversation about Larry King.On and on the past few days Madeleine would call in, (God Bless cellphones), and give me the latest. Mom, we just went to the Braves Museumand it was the best. I took my picture with Hank Aaron's' number andgot a baseball, it was so cool and very informative.
Yes, she did say informative and that really got my attention. SomehowI thought her favorite part of the trip would be visiting the MargaretMitchell house as how many times had I went on and on about "Gone Withthe Wind"? But no, her favorite part was Turner Stadium and going onthe field.
I learned of her visiting Martin Luther King's grave and his home andthe Georgia Aquarium. By the time she got home, I felt as if I had goneon the trip with her and then of course, we had all the photographs shetook of her trip.
Now the whole time this was going on with Madeleine we were in fullthroes of getting ready for the Jefferson Prom for Lainie. Lainie haddesigned her own dress and my good friend and Pulpwood Queen KayBrookshire had created and sewn this prom masterpiece that was a kneelength dress with strapless concoction. The bodice was cream with blackswirls, full satin skirt with side drapes, and cream tulle peeking outfrom under the hem. Very French and ooh la la. Now she wore this dresswith a vintage black rhinestone necklace, bracelet, black sheer shortgloves, cream lace anklets and black pumps. Her corsage was cream roseswith black berries, black leather strips attached to a vintage arm cuffcreated by Timber Guy and florist extraordinaire, Dale Vaughn. MarthaStewart has nothing on the floral designs of Dale Vaughn. Her blondehair was swept up to the side with side bangs and texture waves. Shelooked almost too grown up to me as where was my little girl? Her datehad on a black pinstriped zoot suit complete with black hat and somekind of, was that a long watch chain. Not sure, but this was more likea theatrical production than prom. Well, she was going with all herfriends from the Drama Club, Emily, Adam, Nick and Megan, what morecould I expect? Along way from my GunnySak oatmeal colored prom dresswith baby blue sprigs and sheer floppy hat on my long blonde parted downthe middle hair. My date, Randy Click, who was 6' 7" wore a baby blueruffled tux. The theme to our prom was the song "Seasons in the Sun".Lainie's was suppose to be "Diamonds and Ice" but somewhere along theway they thought that sounded too drug related and changed it up somewhat. i laugh, as my junior year's prom theme was "Stairway to Heaven"by Led Zeppelin. I guess things haven't changed too much.Now on prom we left to change into blue jeans and work shirts to headout to a pasture party back in Kansas. All the kids Lainie went withchanged to go Cyber bowling then out to eat breakfast at IHOP.As a mother the next day, I laughed as I cleaned out all the UNSPIKEDYahoo chocolate drinks out of my Inferno Red Pacific that I let the kidsborrow for the prom night.
Whew! I made it through another prom but still have one more for Lainiethen Madeleine. My mantra is keep my kids safe, keep my kids safe.Lainie had to work the next day down at the General Store and Madeleinewas returning home from Atlanta on the schools chartered bus. Bothcalled to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. Jay and I went to Lowe's to buysealer for the beaded wood walls of my NEW shop location then went towork at the new shop. As he hooked up the telephone, internet, andtelevision cables, I quietly painted in my new office. I had plenty oftime to reflect on what is a mother. I came to this conclusion.A mother is one of the most important person's in a child's life. Shemay be the most important as she carries the child and feathers thenest. Mothers can make or break a child's spirit. Leave that eggunattended and it may get snatched or broken. We are the ones totallyresponsible for teaching our children. We give our children wings,teach them how to fly, then sendi them on their way just like thatlittle baby bird in the Dr. Seuss story. My girls are testing theirwings and it seems those trial runs are working out well. They have bigdreams, big hopes for the future. Their mother may have been slightlyflawed, well make that a total basket case, but they seemed to haveturned out pretty darn gosh good. As they flew out the door for schooltoday, I see their futures looking bright. Who knows where they fly andwill make their nests? I hope it is not too far but then again I canalways fly, right?
I would love to hear from you and what you think makes a great mother?Do you have a great mother story? Two of the happiest days of my lifewere when my girls were born, a miracle that often times I think weforget. Also God's gift to us to give us that second chance to makethings right in the world.
Tiara wearing, book sharing, and one proud momma,Kathy L. PatrickFounder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubswww.beautyandthebook.comwww.pulpwoodqueen.com