Laughing In Stereo

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Mom’s cousin is married to a fellow from our family’s ancestral motherland, Poland. A few years back Janek’s mother came to visit for the summer. She did not speak English, but thankfully we know enough of the language of our posterity to communicate with her. Upon introductions, she pointed to my Mom and me and inquired, “Siostra?”

“No,” I replied with a smile, “Moja Matka.“ I pointed first to myself and then to Mom. Janek’s mother’s eyes went wide, “NOo….” She responded in disbelief. Everyone in the room burst out with laughter, while in a quick barrage of Polish, which I was not skilled enough to translate, Janek’s mother continued expressing her surprise at our Mother-Daughter revelation.

The reaction of Janek’s mother was not an uncommon one. Many people we meet often mistake Mom and me for sisters, rather than Parent/Offspring. And really, it’s no wonder.

Me and Mom at a festival.  (Who is that guy??)

We like a lot of the same things and hold many of the same values. We can make each other laugh, and finish each other’s sentences (most of the time). We are alike in a lot of ways. Some people say we even “laugh in stereo.”

We do almost everything together. That is in part because Mom doesn’t drive. But aside from going to the grocery store, doctor visits and dental appointments, we do voluntarily hang around together. When we are out having fun, I rarely call her “Mom.” On occasion, I will call her by her given name, but that makes me uncomfortable, because I feel it shows a lack of respect. It is easier for me to call her “Girlfriend.” (Even now, typing that moniker is making me smile!)

Halloween at karaoke. (We always dress like that.)

Who else would get into a car during a blizzard to attend a Winter Dance Party right after having gall bladder surgery? Mom. (Our car slid into a snow bank and I had to shovel it out by myself in my saddle shoes. Call it karma.)

Who else would sit through hours of late night karaoke, just to hear me sing for two and a half minutes, then either “high five” me or ask, “How do YOU think you did on that one?” Only Mom. (Really, she doesn’t pull any punches.)

We often say, “it's not important WHAT you do, but rather WHO you do it with.” Only someone who loves you would do all that and more. These details do not go unnoticed. There are oodles of funny experiences we’ve shared—we call them “episodes”. I will eventually share some of them with you.

Aloha from Elvis Week, with our "Blue Hawaiians".

Today is Mom’s birthday and the story of Mom I want to share with you is one of my earliest memories of her. I remember sitting on the couch next to Mom while she taught my older brother to read before he started Kindergarten. She taught me to read when I was three years old. One of the greatest gifts Mom ever gave me is the gift of literacy. It has opened the door to education for me, allows for adventure in my life, and inspires me to dream. If it weren’t for Mom, this Blog would not exist.

Today’s entry: Inspired by Mom.