Emily Post might cringe in her grave at all the mannerly blunders that pave my path. Despite the best of intentions, I find myself failing in proper etiquette more often that soaring. It’s not that my mother and grandmother didn’t teach me well… or that Miss Ela Hockaday didn’t add her imprint as my friends and I endured Wednesday Dress Dinners each and every week. But somewhere along the way, I’ve casualed down and moved my proper etiquette from the passenger seat to the trunk (… my procrastination tendencies don’t help.)

Which leads me to this Thank You Note (over due, but better late than never) in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

To my kids:

Thank You…

• for being my wing-men … especially for doing such a terrific job texting for me while I’m driving.
• for understanding and being patient when I periodically forget to pick you up from activities.
• for bearing with my wandering fork (the choicies on your plate looks so much more appealing than the food on mine.)
• for being honest about my wardrobe malfunctions (“Mom, you have a hole in you pants.” “I do?… Is it big?” I ask reaching to feel, mentally flipping through all places I’ve been and people I’ve seen. “Let’s just say, … a mouse could crawl though that thing.” eek!)
• for gently correcting my fashion faux-pas (“Do you like the shoes I’m wearing?” “Oh my word no. Their hideousness was singed into my brain the moment I saw them this morning. You’ve got to get rid of those things,” At least she’s honest.)
• for enduring my singing along with the radio … even when your friends are in the car.
• for teasing me.
• for changing the screen saver on my phone to crazy pictures that make me laugh (like the current picture of a certain 5-year-old’s eye staring at me each time someone calls.)
• for enduring all the ridiculous thing I say.
• for every single gray hair, that in the past I begrudged, but for which I am now grateful. Each one represents a rocky road we’ve walked … together.
• for all the noise. Might I never wish away even the bickering. All to soon, I know silence is coming … and for me, it won’t be golden. When the noise is gone, you’re gone.
• for letting me hug you… and for, every so often, leaning into it. When you melt in my arms, I get to feel & remember that little kid who relentlessly begged for them not so long ago.
• for laughing at the absurd. You remind me to find the humor in the mundane.
• for forgiving me.
• for falling asleep on my shoulder.
• for enduring (often forced-participating in) my hair-brained ideas (especially a book and blog where you excitedly – okay so only a couple excited’s – agreed to be the story-line)
• for being strong when I could barely stand (“Mom… please don’t cry. If you cry, then I will,” begged one after a major trampoline accident. She stood strong while my knees buckled and I fought losing consciousness at the sight of her broken bone trying to push its way through her skin.)
• for getting back on the trampoline … and bravely facing (on your own) so many of your fears.
• for thinking I’m your hero.
• for still admitting we’re together when we walk out of the movie, bump into one of your friends, nodding-smile at their comment – “Did you hear that person laughing?!” – fully aware that it was me.
• for enduring my lack of skill in the kitchen – and so many areas.
• for providing an excuse to watch the teeny-bopper television shows (Good Luck Charlie, et al) that I love
• for loving me, as close to unconditional this side of heaven.
• for every smile, every tear, every agreement, every argument, every sleepless night, every celebration, every defeat, every question, every complaint, every mundane detail…

Thank You.

I never imagined I could ever love someone as much as I love you.

…What parent can?

-Mom