My Phenomenal Mom

     The image that stands out most in my mind, is the one of her going toe-to-toe with an overzealous police officer, as he ticketed me for mopedalling through some stop signs.

     Todd, my fair-weather friend, was infamous for getting me into trouble. This time we were racing down a hill, on parallel streets. Of course, Todd had probably also run the stop signs. But since he had been riding a bike, he was a much trickier target. And as usual -- nowhere to be found, safe within his house. (This was also his hideout when I got stung by yellow jackets, agitated by his brilliant pop-can toss. Thanks again, Todd!!)

      Anyway, Mom toed the line and eventually that officer got transferred to another force -- and then (fortunately) found a more appropriate career! And I managed to work off the ticket, doing odd jobs at home.

     Then there was the time that Mom raised a veritable posse, to investigate the whereabouts of her then daughter-in-law. The phone line had developed a mysterious glitch, so we couldn't get through. "They can't find Nancy!" was her hysterical cry, and Grandpa Norman led the charge. Nancy was subsequently found -- nonchalantly washing her hair in the kitchen of her undisturbed home!

      Mom must have imagined her wandering off or running away, as Nancy's daughter once did with a friend, in hopes of "hooking up" with Shaun Cassidy and Erik Estrada in Hollywood!

     As you can clearly see, Mom is an expert at keeping us posted on the latest crisis at hand. But most of all, she's a voracious reader. That includes almost anything that our church can throw at her. And her long-time subscriptions to 'Prevention' magazine (when they didn't accept drug ads!) helped put me on the road to better nutrition and alternative health.

      You might even call her a bit of a hypochondriac -- but once you read all of those doctor books, the symptoms do seem to grow into your own health conditions. And since she's been a nurse's aide, even taking a college course on the subject, it only makes sense. She even worked for a chiropractor once.

     And then there's all of the great gardening work that she's done -- the magnificent catalpa tree in the front yard, and so many flowers and plants, too numerous to mention. The seeds of that passion have also blossomed in me, like a quiet awakening through many sweet years.

      On the other hand, we might briefly remember the time that she backed the Plymouth Horizon into the partly-closed garage door. I guess she was just making a "new horizon" -- but like me, it just proves that she's highly-strung, and prone to restless flights of fancy. There's never been a dull moment!

     Mom can still recall the time that she first met Dad on a rainy street corner, some sixty years ago. He was a gallant, gangly G.I. -- in a timeless, "Strangers in the Night" kind of moment. She could tell you more, but that might spoil the magic. All we recall is that independent spirit and musical muse -- a paroxysmal parade of heavenly hymns and crucifying commentary!

      Yes, that's probably where I got my libertarian leanings as well. You might see her as that ubiquitous 'Far Side' lady, perpetually standing in the yard with her hands on her hips. But she's my one-of-a-kind, one in a million mom. And I wouldn't trade her for any other!