Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers’ Day (May 2006)

I fight through the gaudy cards
Some with ribbons and bows
Some muti-pages
All with georgeous sceneries
And floral arrangements on front.

What is this shit?, I thought
As I read through the cards
Although I’m sure
I mumbled
Something to that effect
Loudly

“From you Mother
I learned the true meaning of love”

Maybe if I slipped into an episode
Of Leave it to Beaver
And Mrs. Clever was my mom
Then maybe – MAYBE –
I’d be looking for a card like this

“Throughout the year,
I often forget to say
How much I appreciate
All you have done for me, Mom.”

AAAAAAaaaaaaaaagh!

“Each day
in raising my own family
I am inspired by all you did
Mom”

I’m only looking to get a Mothers Day card
But these cards set an impossible standard
for anyone to reach
Let alone someone
Who has gone through childbirth

Maybe a card I need to find
Would say:

Ma
I want you to know
From the bottom of my heart
That I harbor no ill will
About the excessive alcohol consumption
And ranting and ravings about nothing
And the guilt of losing children
(as many of you did
in the 1950s)
The paranoia
and how you were
overbearingly protective
to the point of not letting us out of the house.
You had a tough life
I’m sure you tried your best
Thanks
Really! - THANKS!
Happy Mother’s Day

Then I found it
Finally
A simple card
With a simple message

“For you Mom
on this special day”

Settled
A card to recognize
A special day
For a woman
Who deserves it