I Had a Dream

I’m sure you’ve been asked the question on social media or in real life, “If you could have lunch with anyone, living or dead, who would you have lunch with?” I thought about all the people who I would love to spend an hour with once more.

I immediately started thinking about people that are no longer with us. I enjoy spending time with my circle of friends. While I might enjoy seeing people from my past, no one living would be my once in a lifetime pick. My choice would most likely fall into the no longer living category. Names like Abe Lincoln, George Patton, Tenzing Norgay come to mind. but those names quickly fall into the maybe next time list. The person I wish I could spend an hour with is my Mom.

I would let her pick the restaurant. I would reserve the right to veto her choice, of course. Mom was pretty adventurous when it came to food. Me? Not so much. If I could get her to cook some of the old German recipes, the lunch would be perfect.

I can only dream about what we would talk about.

Me: My life has been a roller coaster since you left. Mom: I know, I’ve been watching. Me: Some of the valleys are pretty low……. Mom: ……and some of the peaks are pretty high. Do you remember when Pastor Heidi told you, “God, doesn’t give you more than you can handle”? Me: I remember, But it would be nice if God could let someone else handle things for awhile. Mom: You’re doing all right. Besides, that’s why you have Elaine, to help you.

Mom: You’ve have a couple peaks with Elaine and Ivy. Me: We named Ivy after you. Mom: I knew that, I was here then. Don’t you remember? You never were my brightest child. Me: Funny. Mom: Ivy is an important piece in your world, you know you couldn’t do it without her. Me: I hope she knows that. Mom: Tell Her! Me: She wishes she knew you. Mom: I’ve been watching her. I couldn’t be prouder. Mom: You know your highest peak is Elaine. Me: I know that. Thank you. Mom: Her stuff is beautiful, just like I remember. Do you remember when I crocheted doilies? Me: Yes, it took Elaine to make me appreciate the work in them. Mom: She always was smarter than you. Me: Funny. Mom: I’m serious. You need to tell her she is what has held you together, I’ve been watching.

Me: Mom, we’ve moved to the mountains. Mom: You have a beautiful place. Me: I tell people that Elaine made me move there. Mom: And I tell people you are an idiot when I hear you say that.

Me: Mom, Elaine and I are raising Alex’s twins. Mom: I know that, I’ve been watching you guys when I have the time. Me: When you have the time? Mom: Your kids aren’t the only grandkids I have. I have plenty of kids to watch. And don’t forget I had you and your brothers to watch when I was here. It is someone else’s turn to watch kids. You seem to be doing a good job. I’m proud of you and the twins. Me: We didn’t plan on raising them. Mom: Look around, there is a bunch of life you have no control over. The twins need you and you need them. The twins are keeping you young. Why else would you sprint to the truck unless you were racing Boy Twin? Me: You know about that? Mom: He beat you by a step. Me: He got in my way, I didn’t want to run into him. Mom: Believe what you want, what an ego!

I think we would talk about the store.

Me: Mom, Elaine, Ivy and I own a yarn store. Mom: Who owns it? Elaine and Ivy own a store. They let you work in it. Elaine and Ivy are really talented, you should try to stay out of the way. Me: OK, maybe you’re right, but the store was my idea and I get to dye the yarn. Mom: I don’t remember you with all this ego. Didn’t I hug you enough? Come here, I’ll hug you now. Me: Mom, they let me write stories for the store. We publish them for people to read. Mom: I’ve read most of them.. Aren’t they supposed to be about yarn? Me: Life is funnier than yarn. Besides, people read the stories. Mom: I know, and I am as surprised as you are. I don’t remember thinking you were going to be the next Shakespeare; remember I saw your report cards.

Me: Ah, report cards. Mom, the world has changed since you’ve been gone. Mom: I’ve noticed. Me: Do you remember spanking me for my bad grades in the fourth grades? Mom: Was that the fourth grade? Me: Mom, they would put you in jail if that happened today. Mom: And I would gladly go to jail, today. Ninety days of not cooking, cleaning and taking care of five kids doesn’t sound that bad. Besides, that spanking got your attention. I must say, I still have a few concerns about this Mumblings thing.

Me: So what do you think? Mom: Truthfully……. I think you use too much construction language. Me: It’s acceptable now. Mom: It’s never been acceptable to me and it never will me. Didn’t you learn anything from me? Me: I learned so much from you. I think about how you would handle things. Mom: I didn’t argue with you because I thought I was wrong. Me: Hey, I say that to my kids.

Me: So, what’s it like? Mom: What do you mean? Me: Where you are at, what’s it like? Mom: It’s perfect. No pain, no sadness, it’s peaceful, just peaceful. It’s perfect.

Mom: I need to get back. Let’s pay the check, I’ve got to get going. Me: Mom, you saw Boy Twin run in front of me to slow me down, didn’t you? Mom: Oh my God, Monner! Grow up! Me: When can I see you again?

I turned and she was gone.

I woke up, the room was dark. I checked on Elaine who was sound asleep. I got out of bed and started writing.

Happy Mother’s Day. God Bless you guys.

Our crazy lives!

Monner