Mom.

This is a tough subject for some of us. I will do my best to keep it light.

Biologically, My mother and father got naked together at some point. He knocked her up. She gave birth to me. Changed my diapers and everything. Totally unprepared for the rest. It was the 70's. Perspective and all. They got married. He joined the Marines.

Chronologically. She got knocked up 3 more times in the next 8 years. One boy and one girl and one stillborn. None by my my dad, he had a vasectomy right after me, can't say I blame him. They did stay married for 12 years, though. It's what they did back then. I might be wrong on some of this but a vasectomy and a 7000 mile difference of location might have made it difficult to my mother to have gotten pregnant by him. He did raise my brother and sister like they were his though.

My idea of mom is actually of my grandmother. Calm and sweet and kind and understanding of the child I was then and the man I would become someday. She taught me the discipline when I deserved it and gave me the guidance when I needed it. And all the while letting me think it was my own idea to do so.

Just to be clear... I was not the easiest of children. My teenage years were worse, and as a young adult I am lucky to have survived. This mouth of mine is my grandmother's. She would agree.

Now I am a 50 year old man who's mother and grandmother are no longer with me. One gave birth to me and the other was a powerful influence on the man I have become. To whom do I give the credit?

I do not have biological children. Never wanted to have them. Very expensive and terrifying little monsters. What if it takes after me and I teach it things? Even scarier. I have actually helped raise a couple of them fairly successfully. I'm a teacher... not a parent. My love and respect are conditional. It depends on the kind of person you are. Loved? Liked? Proud of? It depends on what we're talking about. Moms do not make those conditions.

I know quite a few women who are mothers. Biologically they all deserve that title. The ones who get mom status... that's different.

For the wonderful and powerful and sweet and kind and amazing moms out there... your efforts are worth it. Especially when us little brats don't get it. We will eventually understand. Hopefully... maybe?

I am 50. My partner is 40. She has 4 of the monsters (or children as they are commonly called)... 5m, 8f, 15f and 17m and is a great mom. I asked her the other day how she handles it so well and she just smiled in that calm way like my grandma used to and told me that I am the the worst kid in the house because she can't ground me.

When she is so frazzled she can't even remember the name of the child your who pissed her off? Made 3 different meals for the 8 year old who lived on chicken nuggets last week but is vegetarian now because chickens are animals. Dealt with the 17 year old boy who's girlfriend just broke up with him and the 15 year old girl who hates her mother for reasons I can't even begin to fathom. The 5 year old and I had a turkey sandwich and kept our heads down.

Me... I was called a problem child. I didn't speak until I was 4, then I was told to keep quiet. My Grandma told me to "hush child" your time to speak will come... and you will be heard when you do so. 2 ears and 1 mouth. Where do you think I got this mouth of mine? Go read some books and be the man I know you are capable of becoming. Your voice may not be loud... but it's the quiet ones that we warn our daughters about.

I will never show images here or anywhere else. It probably means I will never be published. So be it.

If my words sound some resonance to a quiet introvert, it is because of my grandmother. I also play 3 musical instruments thanks to her. My ability to communicate is slowly getting better.

My words are powerful enough on their own. I shouldn't need an image to verify them. Publish this from the quiet introvert who might actually have something to say

Happy Mother's Day