I want to wish all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day today !
Today The Scranton Times had a special column written by Joby Fawcett remembering his mom. If you have a few moments, take the time to read it.
Remembering Mom on Mother's Day
There are times when I can still hear her voice. The echoing sound of encouragement from her frail and weakened body came through loud and clear as she sat beneath an umbrella even when there was no rain.
As the finish line grew closer, her words sounded stronger. And even as it hurt, she rose to her feet.
Soon after, to her delight, I would point to her location, and her smile was my greatest award.
Mother's Day is always special. It's a day to recognize the most wonderful people in our lives.
Today, I will visit my mother, Jean Fawcett. I will offer a casual hello, gaze up to the heavens, and put my hands on my daughters' shoulders as they ask questions about their grandmother.
My answer always begins with her being the greatest, most loving person in the world.
I will remember how she would somehow, against all odds, get to Lakeland Stadium to watch me and my brother play football or run track. Or to see my sister cheer.
See, in her life, that was a victory. Because the only thing that could conquer her will was the devastating and debilitating effects of Lupus.
I will continue to tell my two daughters how much she loved her children and how much she loved sports. There were days, oh yeah, there were days when I just simply didn't like to go to practice.
There were many days when running 400-meter sprints for a workout, honestly, weren't fun. In fact, they hurt.
"Hey, running track is supposed to hurt," she'd tell me.
There were days when losing wasn't much fun either. I'd put my head down and pout. And rather than comfort and offer compassion, mom would look me straight in the eyes and tell me to "work harder."
Then came the love.
"Losing is all right," she'd stress, "but accepting defeat is not."
It hadn't occured to me then, that those where the words she told herself with each passing day.
All I needed to do was to watch her at a dialysis appointment, come home, drained of what little bit of energy she had left, her shining hair falling out in clumps, a rash covering but not hiding her movie-star looks, and yet she still insisted on cooking dinner.
That was where I learned about competing, and the value of life.
My battles on the football field and on the track paled in comparison to what she and millions of moms battle with when their health is put at risk.
But in mom's mind, it was all that mattered. That's what I'll tell my daughters as we touch her grave, and celebrate her day.
So athletes across our region, remember your moms today and forget about wins and losses.
Lavish her with flowers. Take her to brunch.Thank her for all she has done, from changing diapers, to wiping your nose, to patting you on the back or kicking you in the behind.
But most of all, if you can, give her a hug.
Because there are many, like me, who will wish they could today.
Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com
Great job Joby ... I know your mom is smiling today !
1 comment:
Oh my god I am in tears!
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