Some moms engineer, some moms mend

 By Nellie Curtiss …

[I dedicate this column to all the special moms in my life named and unnamed: Tricia, Betty, Karli, Sal, Andrea, Dana, Laura, Jackie, Lori, Barb, Shana, Gayla, Edna, and Dot]

Some mothers are born the eldest and some the youngest.  Some moms serve dipped cones at Dairy Queen or Impossible Burgers (veggie burgers) at Burger King.  Some mothers rescue emus and others groom quarter horses.  Some mothers sing songs and others write books.  Some mothers hike the road by the grazing cows and others pedal on their secondhand bike behind their daughters on training wheels.

Some moms dash forgotten lunches to Bill Metz Elementary – that is pre-pandemic wise.  Some moms sit beside their math students adding then subtracting problem after problem. Some mothers use baby wipes and others run warm water on a cloth to wipe away the tears from a tumble off the tricycle.

Some moms see their children every day, and some moms cherish even the time allotted on FaceTime. Some moms have children in college; and some are proud of their children enlisted in the Army, Marines, Navy, or Air Force. Some mothers welcome grandbabies in the hospital and others weep at the returning soldiers in flag draped caskets. Some moms stand by their sons or daughters as they reboot their lives gone astray and others welcome them home from opioid rehab.

Some are mothers of humans and others of the four-legged furry kind.  Some moms congregate to be inspired and others withdraw to pray.  Some mothers are small in stature but generous to the moon.  Some mothers walk on the moon and others ride the cow that jumps over the moon. Some moms counsel hearts and some moms account for figures. Some moms water daisies and some grow dandelions.  Some moms are married, and some are single.

Some mothers act on a stage and others sing karaoke.  Some mothers rake the leaves and others mow the lawn. Some mothers make cheese from goat milk and other fish on the Rio Grande. Some mothers are close by and playing jacks while some mothers in heaven are watching over their children. Some mothers sew up a storm and some lay asphalt for the county. Some mothers drive SUVs and others long haul semi-trucks.  Some mothers build a fort in the family room and others build barns for the farmer. 

Some moms shop Walmart online and some weave wraps they give to their loved ones. Some moms are here and others there. Some moms like chocolate and some like vanilla.  Some moms are engineers, and some are tailors. Some ride like the wind. Some plod along making sure every seed takes hold.

Happy Mom’s Day to all the mothers on earth and those in the stars. Love you!

— Nelda Curtiss is a retired college educator and long-time local columnist. Reach her at columnsbynellie.com or email her at columnsbynellie@gmail

Cutline for picture: Graphite pencil sketch Titled: “For ALL the Moms” by Nellie Curtiss, 2023.