My Mother's Day is every day!
We’re coming around to the time of year when most kids are scrambling to find that ‘perfect’ gift for Mom. Mother’s Day, just right around the corner. For most of us Mom’s, a handmade gift is just ‘perfect’. A clay pot, hand drawn card, colored picture, a couple of prize tulips cut from the flower bed. Some kids, my own included, want to make breakfast for mom, served in bed. The end result being runny eggs, burnt cold toast, ½ cup of too strong coffee and maybe a little bit of strawberry jam smeared to hide the blackness of the toast.I doesn’t matter how it gets to you, just that it does. That is what makes it perfect. The fact that they thought ahead for what they would give you, and somehow managed to make it happen without you having to file an insurance claim. As a Mother of 5, 2 boys and 3 girls, I’ve always had super special Mother’s Days happen. Even going so far as to push me back into the bedroom until my ‘surprise’ was ready.For years, all year long my kids would ask me “Mom when can I get a tattoo”? My answer has always been the same, “When you turn 18, but your first tattoo has to say ‘Mom’”. Yes, I may have powdered their bottoms, and cared for their skin. Made sure each booboo was cared for so the scars were minimal. Bought good Ivory soap so their skin stayed soft and made sure during the harsh winter months there was skin lotion to prevent dry skin. When rashes happened to the Doctor we went, to find something that would heal them without scars. We as Mom’s do those things in the hopes that our care will follow them the rest of their lives.For me tattoos are just an extension of the personality of the person who receives them. I wanted them to be sure of who they were, before committing to a permanent skin alteration. I also had spoken often that a tattoo was permanent and really should mean something, so they should think long and hard before getting one.When my eldest son reached that age of 18, I expected within the 1st year he’d head to the local tattoo parlor for some body art. I waited and waited for him to come home and show mw what he had done. Good thing I didn’t hold my breath!! I had to wait about 8 years. Finally he and my 2nd son announced they were both getting tattoos, both were well over the age of 18 by this time. I had no say in what they were getting, what decision they would come up with. They had both chosen different places to go, at different times. I admit I was a little nervous. These were my babies. No matter how old your children get, they are still ‘Momma’s Babies’. What if they get something ugly? What if the person uses dirty needles? What if the artist has a bad day and messes up really bad? What if it isn’t taken care of properly and they get infected? You get the drift, all the ‘Mom’ worries.When the tattoo’s were finished, I was the first person they came to, to show them off. Imagine my delight when on the left bicep of each of my boys’ arms were tattoos, both which said “MOM” in different designs of course, but ‘Mom’ was there! I was surprised and when I asked why ‘Mom’ was chosen they both replied in the same manor. “Well, you said the first one had to say ‘Mom’”.I truly expected them to get more tattoos, since they were both so pleased with the outcome of the first ones. As of this time I hold the only place of honor, with the name ‘Mom’ tattooed on my sons. What better Mother’s Day gift can I ask for, than to know wherever they are, wherever they go, I’m with them, always.
