Monday, May 14, 2012

Mother's Duties

Yesterday was Mother's Day in the U.S.  I almost completely missed it because our Fête des Mères here in France is on May 25. Thus I didn't have the constant Hallmark barrage of reminders. Luckily I spoke with my sister earlier in the week and was set straight.  Too late for a snail mail card but not too late for a video card and a phone call. But I could have missed it!


I told my Mommy that I love her and that I value all the love and support that she's given me throughout my lifetime. I did not tell her, and should have, that I realize what a lucky woman I am to have had such an idyllic childhood, a mother who always believed in my every quality even when it didn't exist, a mother who eventually accepted my weird needs to run off on adventures but whose resistance to those same adventures was only out of her concern for me.  A mother who is still with me even if we are an ocean apart. 


Yesterday was Mother's Day in the U.S.  I, however, did NOT get a message from either of my boys. This is not acceptable; not to a woman who insists on wearing a tiara for every special occasion. This is also not their usual style so I'm not hot angry, just a wee bit surprised. I was thinking I would just let it go and their shame or realization would eventually rise to the surface. Then I decided this is not something one should let go. I'm their mother. It's my job to teach them good manners. To honor their elders, especially their mothers. To remember their responsibilities. So I've chosen to fulfill my motherly responsibilities  it in a classic mother way. 


Public Shame and Guilt. 


So this morning, on each of their Facebook pages, I posted:

Dearest Mother, I just wanted to take the opportunity to tell you what a great mom you are. Happy Mother's Day. Colin/Ryan

(please feel free to copy and paste to your mother's page...since you forgot!)



And now I'm writing this blog post. I'm hoping I've done my job!

Happy Mother's Day (a day late) to all. And if you forgot, your mother still loves you. But call her right away. Public Shame and Guilt is far too easy...and far too much fun!

Photobucket



18 comments:

  1. So funny, as usual!
    My children called or sent text messages, this year was a lucky one...

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    1. Thank you, Blandina. I'm trying to figure out another public forum on which to humiliate them!

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  2. Delana, Good for you. In addition to telling you how fabulous they are, gifts should definitely have changed hands. You may have to buy yourself something fabulous and send them a bill. I got "happy mother's day" but that was pretty much the extent of it. And I live with my three. I'm booking myself a pedicure today.

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    1. Good girl...let's see...I REALLY want an IMac. If they split the price....maybe!

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  3. But what if the French snail mail delivered their cards to Aix-les-Bains?

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    1. Lee, I am positive this did not happen. Positive!

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  5. Loved your facebook trick to remind your sons. I think I will try it the next time my day gets overlooked! Happy Mom's Day! The great thing for us we can actually celebrate twice...again on May 25th. Maybe your boys think of you as French!

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    1. I'm going to run with that and give them a second chance. Of course, I'd give them a 3rd chance and a 4th and....

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  6. Thank goodness my mother is not on Facebook...between the U.K., France and Costa Rica giving me three choices you'd think I could get one of them right...

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    1. Ah....you are one of THOSE also, Fly. And yes, facebook changed forever when everybody's mothers got on board.

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  7. You you need to remind these two guys that neither one was born under 10 pounds !!
    Jeanmarie xoxo

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    1. I'm saving that one for a really terrible transgression. Like missing my birthday.

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  8. I'm with Jeanmarie. Send them each a rock melon (cantaloupe) to remind them how big their heads were when they were born! If it makes you feel any better, someone here forgot too. And it wasn't me.

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    1. I swear to god their heads were more like basketballs than melons. At least that is what I remember. And how have you punished the transgressor?

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  9. Nice one, I'll have to remember that if my 2 ever forget. For the moment they live with me so there's little chance. :)

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    1. Yep, keep the trick in your arsenal. You'll probably need it when they leave to find something more fun to do than live with mom!

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  10. Mother's Day is on a different day in the US, France, and Ireland!! I am so confused, that I usually end up forgetting it altogether... my poor Mother.

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