BoBo finds a way to include his dad in the special day by wearing one of his suits which he had altered specifically for this day. This is his day to bask in our love and celebrate his hard-earned promotion to assistant management.
We are all there with him: YaYa, me, and his dad (in spirit).
We are there, and we are oh so very proud.
Growing up, I was often referred to as “Linda’s little sister” or “Carol’s older sister.” These days, however, we are each our own unique self, blessed/shaped with our own set of talents and life experience [Linda included]. And I have never been prouder to be their Middle Sis.
Accompanying my brother, Robert in his Trifecta journey is just one added benefit to maintaining a close relationship with my siblings. I have to say that it’s pretty freaking cool to do these Spartan Races with my Robert and Carol.
In their younger years, the gifts came in the form of an art project from school. I still have a number of these Mother’s Day gifts. YaYa’s school photo glued onto a paper plate which was decked out with gold macaroni is currently on my window sill. BoBo’s bracelet made of elastic tied safety pins which have tiny colored beads covering the pin is in my jewelry box. As they grew older, the school made projects stopped. This was the years of “coupons” listing a number of chores or acts of kindness they knew that I enjoyed. I have quite a few of these as well.
I love all of their gifts for they are from the heart. Even the wooden oven rack pusher-puller device that BoBo made in middle school — which I later discovered was supposed to be carved into an animal or some other artistic design. I still love it. 
This year’s gifts, were even more loving and personal. Quality time together doing something that I love (which they have never had any interest in doing), and a SJ Sharks jersey. Because you can’t watch playoffs with your sons and not fall in love with the team that put you on the couch together.
These boys are my everything. And I love being with them — on the couch or in yoga.
Happy Mother’s Day!
It would be an exaggeration to say that I couldn’t do anything without theMAN. In many ways, my venture into Spartan/OCR events was an exercise in standing on my own. Besides being nervous about doing the 8-10 mile event with YaYa that summer, I think a part of me needed to reclaim a little confidence and independence as well.
On one hand, I was scared of taking on that experience (volunteering AND the race) all by myself. On the other hand, I was excited and a little empowered to go it alone.
Sometimes, you have to stand all alone just to prove that you can still stand.” -Unknown
It was at that first Spartan experience where I lost my car parked in a dark grassy field, in the middle of nowhere, on a rainy night, with no cell reception after my volunteer shift. When I finally found my car, I realized that I couldn’t find my way to my AirBNB without cell service (which I didn’t get for quite some time driving). On race morning, I was scared sh!tless to jump into the starting corral all by myself to take on that race. But I did it anyway. I had no idea what I was doing or how I’d manage, but I had a desire to prove to myself that I was indeed capable.
We’re now 2 months into the friendship thing and I am beginning to feel okay about it. I can’t explain it but it is similar to finishing that first Spartan Race and realizing that I had what it took to make it through — learning how to ask for help when needed while discovering my own strength and agility for the rest. It’s pretty damn cool to realize that you can stand alone and still be okay.
An old song came on the radio this morning while I was driving to work. On this day in particular, the words ring true loud and clear. I began singing along — and soon I was crying as well.
Thinking back to the day before, when the boys and I spent the day on the beach where Tom’s ashes were released. It was BoBo’s idea; it was how he wanted to spend his birthday weekend. We took turns playing fetch with Simba, our dog that never seems to tire, ate, played catch, and YaYa held mitts for his brother.
During the game of catch [with a hardball!], I reluctantly agreed not to bow out so easily. I suck at all things ball-related but, after a bit, I found my rhythm (somewhat). I have to admit that it was actually fun, so long as the ball wasn’t coming too fast and hard AT MY FACE!
The words to the song take me back to reflect on the tougher times, when things were especially difficult, I remember wishing for time to hurry past. But NOW, I truly hold the moments like these so close — for I know that it is only a matter of time before they too will be gone.
It’s crazy! I still cannot believe that my little BoBo is now as old as I was when I gave birth to him.
…you’re gonna miss this, you’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days, hadn’t gone by so fast
These are some good times, so take a good look around
You may not know it now, but you’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna miss this, yeah you’re gonna miss this”-Trace Adkins, Youre Gonna Miss This