Vintage Angel Boy
Because, of course, without him, I wouldn’t have a Mother’s Day at all.
This was brought to my attention one year by my facetious brilliant child who remarked that in fact, HE should be the one who garners all the attention, because without HIM, I’d have nothing to celebrate.
I thought about it and he’s right and the day belongs to my Angel Boy.
I’ve enjoyed thirty-four years of receiving gifts and presents and all the little things that go along with this one day set aside to recognize mothers; handmade cards and macaroni hearts (I’ve kept them all) and coupon books for hugs and dishwashing (still waiting to collect on a few of those.)
Now that our nest is empty and I don’t wake up to a sweet little boy snuggling in bed with me; that embodiment of Mother’s Day with every smile and giggle, there’s only one thing I desire, and this is true of a lot of other empty nest moms I’ve talked to.
Wikipedia
What do we want?
TIME!
When do we want it?
NOW!
My cell phone rang and the little screen flashed “Angel Boy”, which always makes me verrry happy, because as much as texts and emails facilitate instant communication, there’s really no good substitute for hearing my only child’s voice.
Me: “Was ist los, mein Kinde?”
(That’s pretty much my entire body of knowledge of German, which is Angel Boy’s Ph.D.; Germanic Languages and Literatures)
Him: Hi, Mom.”
Me: “To what do I owe the honor of an actual telephone call?”
Him: “What do you want for Mother’s Day?”
(By unspoken agreement, this query includes my birthday, which is either ON Mother’s Day or within a few days of it.)
Me: “YOU know what I want.”
“It’s that little four-letter word. It’s what I always want. Say it.”
Him: “You want TIME, right?”
Me: “Yup, that’s it. I want YOU. I want time BEING with you. I want to spend TIME with you.”
“Don’t buy me any THING. What I want is priceless.”
And that’s the truth.
Ever since he left SoCal to pursue his lofty academic goals mostly on the East coast, TIME has become a precious commodity.
Now I know why my mom counseled me to spend every second, every minute — with my child, because she knew that once they grow up and fly away, all you’ll be left with is memories.
That’s why I got up at 4 a.m. and did as much housework as possible before he woke up so that every minute could be spent caring for him, playing with him — just BEING with my Angel Boy without having to say, “in a minute” or “not now, I’m busy.”
If I had to give advice to mom nowadays, I’d tell them to spend more precious time being present in their children’s lives, and spend a whole lot less time on their electronic devices.
Because one day, their children will be gone, and you’ll regret the hours you spent on Facebook.
Although I’m not seeing my Angel Boy ON Mother’s Day, he planned a camping/hiking trip for us in a couple of weeks, and that’s when I’ll bask in the glow of TIME.
I can’t wait.
Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!
A happy day to you. My kid’s on the way over. His birthday is the one that falls on or right before Mother’s Day. So he gets the big present and I get the card. But that’s a LOT. That’s FINE.
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Lucky you, you get TIME! Enjoy, my friend!
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Ohhh GORGEOUS. I love that you’re going to get TIME 😀
(and happy birthday for whichever within the few days it is ❤ )
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Thank you and thank you! It’s the 14th, no secret, only every 7 years it lands on Mother’s Day which makes angel boy my gift. Especially since you know, cos of what almost happened, every year is even more precious. Happy Day to you, my friend, hope the world is bright and sparkly for you.xx
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Ohhhh how lovely. Well there’s no way I can do anything PROPER in time, but I DID find something today which I thought at the time would be PERFECT for you. I hope it is. It either will be, or absolutely totally won’t be. I’ll send it soon and we’ll find out 😉
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Well, that’s why I don’t like to give the exact date just for that reason! Honestly, I hardly ever make a big deal out of the “day” cos I like to feel that every day is special and not let people (tugboat man) think he’s let off the hook the other 364 days haha, but yay, can’t wait to see what it is you send, ‘though YOU REALLY SHOULD NOT. 🙂
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Whatevs dude. Doesn’t have to be a birthday present COS I DIDN’T KNOW TIL NOW…it can just be an ‘I was thinking of you and going to send this anyway’ thing. Which means that whatever day it arrives is special. I might even include the postcard I left out last time. Hahahah 😀
(don’t go holding your breath though – I’m crap at getting stuff posted lately (can’t think why… 😉 ))
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Can’t wait! Should I send you “go to the post office” reminders????
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Yeah, and ones which say “WRITE ME” 😉
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OK…1. GO TO THE PO 2. WRITE ME 3. 🙂
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I hab a code…. 😦 *cries*
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Oh you poor dear, I’m so sorry!!! Tea and a huge slice of your amazing cake is what the doc orders, oh and that hot toddy thing you like! Feel better soon!!!!! And then get to the PO
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I have tea and cereal and stewed rhubarb and oranges for vitamins 🙂
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You and your cereal, that’s so funny. I haven’t had any cereal in the house since hub left on March 10. But I’m glad you have tea and stewed rhubarb (my mom used to LOVE that)
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I overstewed it and added cornflour to turn it into a kind of puddingy custard thing. It worked. Gloopy stewed rhubarb cereal-topper. YAY VITAMINS!
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Sounds like you are feeling MUCH better, and I’m happy! PS I have a package I’m assembling for you, just want to make sure the address is the same???
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OH do you? Wow! You don’t have to! Mine’s not a package so much as a small thing… and no – nothing has changed 🙂
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I’ve been gathering little bits of things that are touristy of Carlsbad, which is NOT a stop on your whirlwind tour, but SHOULD be lol
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Ohhhhh! Now THAT sounds cool 😀
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I hope you’ll like what I send, although it might be a while cos I just got word that hub MIGHT be home on Thurs for about 4 days and then I’m going camping with my son/DIL.
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Ohhhh no, that would be MUCH MUCH BETTER! What a gorgeous priority to have 🙂 I hope that happens for you.
TIME, right? 🙂
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YEs, TIME is precious, that’s for sure. Although diamonds don’t hurt either haha
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*grins* only if you eat them.
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🙂
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so following his reasoning, YOU should have all the gifts and attention on HIS birthday – because without you ……………?
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And aren’t you smart! I definitely have mentioned that to him as well, however he’s much more clever than I am and figured out a way to still make it all about himself, and don’t even mention the prezzies he gets on his 1/2 birthday, a tradition that still goes on to this day. Can you tell he’s an only child? Poor dear has/had to bear the brunt of my (s)mothering!
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he’s a very lucky boy 🙂
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Or as he would say, I’m a very lucky mom! (I agree)
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Love this, have missed reading your posts, hope you’re well! xXx V.V
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I’ve missed you too, hope all is well! You’re fighting the good fight to change the world, I admire you!
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Aww you’re so lovely, I have wrote a few new posts recently with updates on my life, have a look when you can! I am in such a good place, my whole life has changed in the best ways, very happy and hope you are too, I admire you too! X
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I’m so happy for you, and yes, I’ll read your updates; been so busy, it’s hard to keep up!
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Thank you so much! Lovely to hear from you, I agree, I disappear and come back and have to back track people’s posts for weeks to catch up! = ] Take care X
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Happy Mother’s Day!! Happy Birthday a few days in advance.
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And thank you kindly!
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Right on
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You like that, huh? Are you that kind of son, too? (I mean brilliant 🙂 )
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You’re so right! Without our children, we wouldn’t be celebrating today! My daughter and my grandchildren got on the phone together this morning and called my mother to sing “Happy Mother’s Day To You” (like the birthday song). She has advanced dementia and is in asst. living with full-time care, but her caregiver said she smiled and tried to sing along over the phone. Then later she asked the caregiver, “Do I know them?” This was our day to unite and sing about her day, since without her, none of us would be here.
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That is so lovely and what a sweet thing to do to include your mom and make sure she is always aware of how important she is! My mom’s been gone for a long time but we still miss her.
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I’m soooo there with you. TIME. It’s a precious commodity. Now we talk for hours! Happy Mother’s Day Princess! He’s one lucky son!
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I hope your Mother’s Day was as fantastic as you are! I’m one lucky mom, as he never fails to tell me haha!
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Happy Momma’s Day 🙂
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To you too!
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