No One Loves You Like Your Mom or Why We Should All Be Wonder Women


A couple of my heros

Mom admires strong women.  Actually, strong men too, now that I think about it.  I've seen her look at men far too young for her with that mixture of fear and fascination, then giggle.  Yeah Mom, I know that giggle!  Anyway, she claims to be tiny and weak but only one of those things is true.  Mom is one tough mother.  I've seen life slap her (like it does) and she practically yawned.  She's the type of strong that comes from daily necessity.  It comes from, metaphorically speaking, going to the gym of life and lifting heavy every day.  And yet she is still this never-ending fount of unconditional love.  Maybe the two go hand in hand?  How can one give up on life?  She's got kids to raise!

Anyway!  Let's start over... 

Mom admires strong women.  When I was a kid, she always gleefully called me an Amazon.  She couldn't believe she bore this giant child.  As an adult, during the times we shared a bed, I'd always wake up and see this little smile on her face.  I know exactly what she's thinking.  "Amazon! Taking up the whole bed.  And little 'ol me made you!"  

Other things my mom says...  She calls me bossy.  Tone implies it's a bad thing, but there's that proud smile.  She thinks I'm smart.  She thinks I'm capable.  There is nothing I can't do, (except figure out her insurance).  I'm the luckiest damn person in the world with her in my corner.  One time I was speaking at a community meeting.  Someone got a bit mouthy with me.  Out of the corner of my eye, there's mom twitching in her seat.  She wanted so badly to tell that bitch to fuck off.  Have some respect for my daughter or I will END you.  My dad (love him too), had one hand or her knee.  He saw it.  He knew well, that simmering temper hidden behind a sweet smile.  I heard him say her name in that calm, reasonable voice he had.   She would keep quiet for him.  She trusted him completely, (but that bitch better sit her ass down.)  

This entry wasn't supposed to be all about Mom!  And now I'm crying...  

Let's try this again.  Mom admires strong women.  As if I needed any more reason to want to be Wonder Woman.  She's strong! Both in body and in mind!  She's a real leader.  Her confidence, integrity, and fearlessness are unparalleled next to any other comic book hero.  I believe anyone would follow her, either into hell, or toward innovative transportation planning with a "vision zero" goal.  (Google it).  No one would think to tell her, settle down sweetheart.  Not to mention her kickass costume.  Gimme some star-spangled panties and I can take on the world.  A tiara?   It takes confidence to wear one.  That lasso.  That's a wise woman's tool.  The bracelets?  A metaphor for fearlessness.  Let's all be Wonder Woman!

As usual, after writing an entry, the theme, or lesson if you will, comes to me.  There's a lot of negativity in this world.  (I won't bother to repeat it.)  So who said you have to listen?  Hopefully your Mom has a fraction of my Mom's awesomeness.  If so, listen to her.  Mostly though, be too busy being Wonder Woman.  One more time!  Be too busy being Wonder Woman!

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