Your Momma

As a tribute to long suffering mothers everywhere,  thought I'd pass along this little story.

 

The story goes...

 

My mother had only one eye. She helped cook for teachers and students at my elementary school.

When she would get a chance to take a break, she would visit and say hello to me.

My friends found the sight of her ghastly and would tease me endlessly.

She was such an embarrassment that I told her not to talk to me at school, or in public.

It made me so ostracized with my peers that I wanted to move away from her as soon as I could and escape the constant humiliation of having a one-eyed mother.

 

Eventually I moved out and got married. Settled down with children of my own.

One day my mother showed up at my door. I hadn't seen her in years

She frightened my children and I chastised her for showing up uninvited and causing my kids such a horrible fright. 

My mother responded, "Oh I'm terribly sorry. I must've got the wrong address by mistake."

 

A few years later an invitation to my school reunion arrived. I went.

After the reunion I decided to drive over to see the old house.

Neighbors informed me that my mother had passed away not long ago.

It felt almost like a relief.

 

Then, they handed me a letter that she left them to give me should I ever return.

‘My Dear Son,

I think of you all the time. I’m so sorry that I came to your house and scared your children.
I’m also sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up.
You see… when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye.

As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you having to grow up with one eye.

So I gave you mine.
I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.

 

With all my love to you,
Your Mother.’

 

Whether it's true or not is not really the point.

 

My mother lost her fight with cancer in 1994.

But I never lost her. She is always within me. In my heart where she rightfully belongs.

And I hope somehow she can still feel my love.

I miss you Mom.

And I love you always.

 

Your son,

Darren