Will B.
As I lay in bed sick writing my weekly column, I can’t help but delve deep into nostalgia of days as a child when I was sick and in some cases just faking being sick, don’t judge [ha-ha]. You might think reminiscing about days when I was sick would not be filled with fond memories but almost all those sick days are very fond memories for me.
I will admit I was something of a mamma’s boy growing up. I don’t mean this as I was a sissy or anything but that I loved and was close to my mom more then anyone else in my life. My mom taught me how to love, how to be loved, how to live life to the fullest and also how to be a great cook. I love to cook and this is because it is closely tied to memories of my mom.
Back to the point, being sick is filled with great memories because I received all of my mom’s attention and extra love. A sick day meant snuggled up on the couch watching “The Price Is Right,” “Gilligan’s Island” and other such masterpieces, and eating tomato soup [my favorite], grilled cheese sandwiches, those little oyster crackers that only seemed to be present on sick days – and plenty of orange juice. But the best thing was the extra attention from Mom, extra hugs, kisses on the forehead and just her-and-me time with no annoying brothers or sisters around to spoil the day. Of course, time off from school wasn’t too bad either.
My mom was killed when I was 27 by her drunk ex-boyfriend and it crushed my heart. It took a very long time to get over and if not for my then-girlfriend who I later was married to for over 20 years, I don’t think I would have made it. I had big plans the summer my mom was killed. I was to be married and for the honeymoon I was to drive to Florida so my new bride could spend time to get to know my mom who meant so much to me. Unfortunately that day would not come because of the drunken rage of a despicable man. Earlier in the summer before the wedding, my soon-to-be bride was able to talk with my mom over the phone - just once - and I would be forever grateful for that call.
Moms are very special people who wear so many hats; a mother is the strongest person you will ever meet. They are the glue in the family and often take on a crushing amount weight while raising children and sometimes do it all alone. If your mom is still alive, take a few minutes out of each day and let her know how much you love and appreciate her.
Today is all we have and tomorrow is never guaranteed. This is Will B saying, I love you, Mom, thank you for the great memories and lessons on how to love and be loved!