Amelia and John gave me very thoughtful gifts for Mother's Day. Amelia spent part of that Sunday afternoon drawing and painting the picture below. When I asked her about the items pictured with my name, she said they were things that are characteristic of my personality. From left to right you can see a cat (she said I am nice to Leo and that a I generally like cats), a book (because I like to read), a chef's hat (because I love to cook), a tennis shoe (my favorite form of exercise is running), and a graduation hat (the black object at the base of the Y, because I am a teacher at a university).
What a lovely gift! So sweet and thoughtful! Then...John presented me with a poem that he wrote at school. The text of the poem is written below the photo.
By John Wilson
This is a poem for my mom
so it has to be fast
it has to be weird
it has to be loving
This is a poem for Mom
so it must run for long marathons
it must be very smart
it must embarrass you with weird jokes.
This is a poem for my caring mother
so if it never relaxes make sure it does
if it has extra time it cooks wonderful meals
if it works out make sure it runs for days
This is a poem for Mom
so let's be sure it wakes up early
let's be sure it doesn't get overworked
let's make certain it is happy and knows it's the best.
This is a poem for my wonderful mother
So let's let it relax
let's let it have fun
And please, please, please, let it say that you're truly the best.
This is my mom's poem
so it is
full of weird jokes
full of love
full of running.
John's poem simultaneously made me laugh and (almost) cry out of love. Some of John's comments are heart-warming and quite loving (let's let it relax, please say you're the best), and others had me puzzled (embarrass you with weird jokes (!!). John told me that I embarrass him when I make comments in the car while driving basketball carpool, so there's that.
The bigger message, to me at least, is what I can see through the children's gifts about the way the kids think of me. I appreciate many of their comments about characteristics of my personality that I "agree" with - love of cooking, running, my energy to keep this family going. But it bothers me a little to see John's comments about the fact that I don't relax much or shouldn't get overworked.
It's interesting how the kids see their parents through their eyes! But most importantly, Amelia and John both made me feel very special on Mother's Day with their thoughtful gifts. I am very thankful for this.
And with that, let's get on with summer travel. Sitting in Atlanta waiting to board for London! Europe, here we come!
