MOM

Mom

A peek

My mother is a complex woman and this writing in short tackles a serious major issue with her but one I find humorous.  My mother will not talk about her age and will lie about it shaving off years from the reality.  The only ones who know her true age MAY be Social Security and noted on her driver’s licence but these two may also be denied the truth.  No one has ever seen her grey hairs not even me for she colors it and since she has taken good care of her skin the revelation of her age can and is hidden.

I realized the extent of her cover up when she on my birthday states, “Thank God finally one of my children have surpassed my age of 39.”   My mom is 39 and refuses to believe otherwise and I accept this without laughing.  She will do ANYTHING to keep her eternal youth ETERNAL.  One day she and her sisters went shopping at the mall.  (Here in New Jersey there are perks to becoming a senior citizen discounts galore from restaurants, movie theaters, to a host of senior discount days and discount cards to use at stores in essence we celebrate the seniors. Therefore, when my mother and her sisters all seniors reached the cashier her two sisters happily whipped out their discount cards.)   When the cashier went to total up my mother’s order she was asked for her discount card.  My mother said no discount and the cashier thought she did not have a card proceed to issue her one.  My mother being in age denial refused the card and the discount for in her mind that was admitting the 39 year old was not 39 but a senior citizen eek!  One time a family member mentioned her age on FACEBOOK and to this day when she mentions it she cringes.  There are lots of stories to tell but I am NOT writing a book.

My mom may come off vain and she will admit she is and she will live forever.  She worked until she was in her 70’s because her place of employment did not know she surpassed her legal retirement date.  Her antics about her age afford her children many joyous moments remembering them.  However, my mom a woman of compassion, kindness and charity, one of substance was honored by the local chapter of the NAACP (National Association of Colored People) at their annual dinner with speeches of accolades one being from my brother of her tireless work with the poor.  Her commitment to the poor is an everyday availability for over 10 years of service.  She was UNAWARE she would be honored and presented a plaque.

I enjoyed my time with her when I returned to the states recently.  She still cooks a scrumptious meal one to die for.  Although I cannot mention her age if I value life but I will hint with this she is three years younger than QUEEN ELIZABETH…Please DON’T tell.

 

Linda Mary Liotino ME A SERVANT OF CHRIST MISSION 2015