HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

I figured it out. It's not puzzle elbow, it's TV channel changer elbow. It comes from changing the channel so often — I think. I was trying to find a movie this afternoon and could feel the pressure in my arm as I went from channel to channel. I had no idea watching TV could be such a physical strain. I know it leads to bubble belly. I also leads to wobbly legs, sore feet and a dozen or so other things caused by a lack of physical activity. That's why I gave up and had a nap. No good movies anyway.

Beautiful day. The sun was out and the small park down the street was loaded with families. Some boats were in the bay. It felt great to get out. I know it's mothers day, but that must mean that just have more to do. I watched a family arrive for a picnic. Apparently a single parent family, or maybe a military family with the dad deployed. Mom was herding a brood of four. The oldest looked to be 13-14 and they stair stepped down from there with the youngest being about 8. I would have expected the youngest would head directly for the playground, but they all did. Mom never called for them to come and help, instead she made a couple of trips to the selected table to bring all their things together and get set up. It wasn't long until the kids began to gravitate back to mom as they kids were thirsty and hungry. They started digging through the boxes to try to find something. Clearly they looked up in disgust. They shrugged their shoulders and seemed to argue and whine a bit, but eventually drug themselves back to the car and slowly began bringing handfuls of picnic items to the table. They made several trips each and finally seemed to have all they needed. I begin to laugh. Mom had brought a table cloth and clips to hold the cloth down, two empty boxes, a lawn chair and a book. She set up the chair in the sun and began reading her book. She had left all the contents in the car. There was no yelling at them, no no correcting, no screaming or finer shaking at the kids for heading to play and leaving everything for her to do. She was not going to wait on them hand and foot. It was her day and they were going to wait on her. The oldest made her a sandwich and brought her a cold drink from the cooler he carried in. She thanked them, gave each a kiss on the cheek and stayed in her chair. They ate and left the park about an hour later happy and content. She had a happy mothers day. It was hard for me to read my own book.

The Home is filled with mothers. All are here because it is home or moved here because children live here. It was a quiet day. I was up early this morning and had some coffee in the upstairs lounge over looking the entrance. It was nice to see a line up of cars picking mom's up and heading out for the day. In time Maria showed up. We worked the puzzle for awhile, picked up our books and walked to the park. My kids were likely with the mother-in-law. Carmen did not need to be alone. Chas joined us later when he powered down in his wheelchair. Happy Mother's Day.