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| It was the year of 1972. My son Dean was 9 years old and it was approaching Mother's day. "What to get for Mother's day?" he thought. One day, his uncle Danny dropped by the house. "let's go shopping Dean and pick out something in the way of a gift for your mom, for Mother's day. "Gee whiz, Unc." said Dean, "I'll have to open my piggy bank and see how much money I have in it." The monies were accumulated from doing little chores around the house. Well said Dean, I have about $2.75.
Do you think that will be enough? I think so, replied uncle Dan. So they both proceeded to go shopping. He looked long and hard and finally chose a large size Mother's day card, 10x13, for $2.50. A lot of money for a child that age.
On the day he presented his mom with the card, she proudly wrote 1972 on the inside. She said to her son, this is so beautiful I'll just save it until next year. That she did, and as the years rolled by, mom would reach in the desk drawer for the card and reread every word over and over again. Then place the card on the mantle piece for display.
There were years in between when Dean would acknowledge to his moms, "I forgot your Mother's day card, I'm sorry," being preoccupied with the business of growing up. And mom would say, "Oh Dean, I pulled your card out again, not to worry."
On May 10th 1987 mom received a telephone call from her son. "Happy Mother's day" he sang, "I didn't send you a card, but, I thought I would call you instead." With a big grin, mom said, "Oh! Dean, I just put your Mother's day card on the mantle and reread the whole card." The words still being meaningful, as they were 16 years old. Also, I added 1987.
"What!" said Dean, you still have that card? Amazing." Well, said mom, I guess you're covered for life." With that they both burst out laughing.
I continued signing the date, on the card throughout the years that followed. Dean was absent from home quite frequently. Probably, on one of his jaunts, to Micronesia or China, Vietnam, or wherever. This year, while I wait anxiously, for a phone call, I shall sign May llth 2008. That will make the Mother's day card 37 years old. A little worn on the edges, but, still readable. I will always cherish it. The same old Mother's day card forever.
Love Mother
by, Florence Putnam [05-2008]
sorry, reprints are not available for this image |
