Roses on Mother's Day and Parkinson's

It is Mother’s Day and children everywhere are making breakfast - a symphony of spilt pancake batter, over and under done eggs, burnt toast, all carefully made and delivered with a smile, a tight hug, and the words I Love You spelled in syrup.

Our moms are our guardian angels, always there by our sides, wiping our tears, picking us up, and cheering us on. The moms in our lives are not always the ones who gave birth to us. Sometimes they are the people who step in and take their place when we lose the person who brought us into the world.  My mom left me too soon. It was not sudden. She knew her time was short. The cancer she had was not treatable. The fear, anger, and sadness she felt was not that her life was ending, but that she was leaving her boys. Mom did not want to lose the most special job there is, that of being a mother. I am fortunate that I have someone special in my life that filled that void after mom passed, my mother-in-law. When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a time when a son needed his mom the most, my mother-in-law was there for me. Her constant support and love given as only a mom can give has meant the world to me. My mom rests easier knowing that she’s looking after her son. My mom-in-law always says, “Give me my roses while I’m alive.” I give them to you in words.

Tell your moms you love them and more importantly show them because every day should be Mother’s Day. To my wife, my mom, and my mother-in-law and all of the wonderful women in the world called mom, Happy Mother’s Day!