It’s Mother’s Day weekend, and I feel compelled to write a column related to that.
The headline is something I always tease my mom about. It’s like one of her “favorite” sayings even though she doesn’t always realize it.
“You know, I saw on the news . . .” is usually followed by something in the form of a warning or a way to say that’s not a good idea.
One of the most memorable situations took place when I prepared to leave for college.
Mama: Are you sure you want to go to Alpine? That’s a long way away.
Me: Yes. I know it’s a long way away, but I’ll be OK.
Mama: You know, I saw on the news the other day about bears in somebody’s front yard in Alpine. You don’t want to go out there with the bears.
Me: (confused face): Bears? Really mama? Bears? There are no bears (laughing).
Mama: OK. I hope the bears don’t eat you.
Less than a week after being in Alpine, I saw a news report about several bears in peoples’ yards. Imagine me at age 20 sitting in my dorm room thinking, “Oh my God, she was right.”
I almost didn’t go back to class. Then, I found out the local news station was out of Denver, an the report was about bears in Denver.
Although I was safe from the bears (for the most part), I knew all Mama was just trying to tell me to be careful.
Sometimes, it’s hard to see the warning until something bad happens.
Me: Mama, I’m going to Sixth Street with some of my friends tonight.
Mama: You know, I just saw on the news . . .
Me: (sigh)
Mama: (laughing) No, really, I saw that thieve have some new tool that will cut a little hole in ca windows, then the entire window will fall out.
Me: I’ll park under a streetlight.
Mama: Just be careful.
That night, someone burglarized my car. The thief stole my speakers, all my CDs and ripped out my radio. Then, he tied the wires in a bow.
This was about 20 years ago, but since then, not only do I watch the news, but I also listen when Mama says, “You know, I heard on the news . . .” because it could save my life.
I guess the moral of the story is listen to your mother. It doesn’t matter how old you get, she will always be your mother. Do I agree with everything she says? No, but I at least listen and then make my own decision. Does she always like that? No, but that’s my mama and she only wants what she thinks is best for me.
By the way, “Yo mama” are still fighting words.
I’m going to get off my soapbox now. Happy Mother’s Day!
“This is just my 2 cents, it’s up to you if you spend it.”
— Brenda Hennington
