Where will I go next. . . .

This week has been one for the books. We received rain that was so much needed, fans, players and coaches awaiting a stop in the rain didn’t have one negative word to say about the delays and for that I applauded everyone of them. Everyone knows about my dad’s sayings and one of the strongest ones was “You do NOT talk ill of the weather – it’s God’s work and he doesn’t make mistakes!” And yes, he would include tornadoes, droughts, hurricanes, you name it when defending the weather. And as I’m typing this, the Hornets are anxiously awaiting taking the field to continue their run at a state title.

Sunday, mothers and families across the country celebrated and paid tribute to mothers, grandmothers, non-biological mothers, aunts, cousins and just those who stepped up to a mom’s role in times of need. Holidays bring an array of emotions – what should be happy occasions do not always turn out that way. While at the office Sunday, I scrolled social media and I saw lots of happy faces celebrating the day with the families attending church together, eating together, enjoying outside activities with their families. That’s what it’s all about. Then I saw posts where there had been no well wishes for many moms as their posts were crystal clear. There are times that circumstances dictate what can and cannot be done to celebrate a holiday, birthday or anniversary. Those circumstances are pretty rare.

I say that because as everyone knows, M and I are separated for lack of a better word right now. And just to make sure I’m clear, we are in constant contact as we have been for 32 years and will remain so through thick and thin. I see him every other week (barring visitations being cancelled) and we talk or email daily. Not a day goes by that I don’t shed a tear but I always follow the tears with some of the happiest memories a mom could ask for that M is solely responsible for. This Mother’s Day, I didn’t receive a dozen roses, a diamond ring, or anything of monetary value. What I did receive was a card, a homemade card, with the sweetest message ever and nothing could replace that ever. For children and grandchildren who for whatever reason neglected to acknowledge their mom or grandmothers, shame on you. A phone call doesn’t cost a dime any more, a piece of paper and pencil/pen is cheaper than cheaper. If you are estranged, change that. Work it out at any costs because you will only have one and when she’s gone, there’s no ‘making up’.

You have the same opportunity next month on the second Sunday in June to honor the father figures in your life. I thank heaven every day for the 14 years I had with my dad and 58 years later, I still miss him. I was telling a story about a whipping I had gotten from my dad and the person looked at me almost star-struck. “How can you speak so highly of someone who BEAT you?” It was a beating back then, it was discipline and it was all he knew. But no matter what, when the punishment was over, that was the end of it. If I was not smart enough not to repeat the same the next day, then I had a second does to make sure I understood it that time.

There are many forms of discipline and ones that work for some do not work for others. That’s when you as a parent have to drop back and punt. Teams do it all the time – pick what works best for your child(ren). The most important thing you can do as a parent is be consistent, leave the boundaries the same because children are very much aware of a loophole and will do what comes natural – play on that.

And to close, let’s cover manners one more time (you know you’ll see this again). Graduation is upon us, mailboxes are running over with invitations being sent to friends and family. The trend I’ve gathered in the last decade is graduates want money, cash, checks, prepaid cards, anything that can be turned into something they choose. That’s way, way different than back in the war days when I graduated. We had tables set up with pictures throughout our 12 years REMEMBER, I’m old and didn’t have kindergarten so I had to learn my numbers, to color and write my name and even add a little bit at the house with my mom. I had company though because she kept a couple of our neighbor’s kids. If someone takes the time to put money, a check, a card, or 10 pairs of socks, whatever they choose to gift you, be respectful enough to WRITE a thank you note. I am bent and determined in my 28 years I have left on this earth because I’ve gifted myself that, to bring back the etiquette instilled in me and tons and I do mean tons of others by Emily Post. She was and will always be the QUEEN of etiquette. I will admire her until the day I draw my last breath. I only wish I had more time to devote to teaching etiquette, home economics or any of many other lost lessons that no longer exist.

I won’t go into how exciting it is to me to do themed place settings but you can rest assured, I’m hot on the trail of any social media posts around the times churches have their festivities surrounding beautifully decorated tables! And this concludes this smorgasbord of Prissie’isms.  Have a great week and I’ll be back next Thursday.