Why is my mom the World's Greatest?
Because last week was the first time in 44 years my mom, a single mom for most of my
childhood, asked me to do something for her.
I am not sure what took so long!
She could have asked me to live without the latest clothes, Schwinn bicycles, or Astroworld Season Passes, so she wouldn't have to work 2 jobs... but she didn't ask.
I will never know why, as shy as she is, she didn't object to sneaking into Earl Campbell's contract signing to get me his very first autograph as a Houston Oiler. She could have
gotten out of that one so easily.
My bouts of self pity, selfishness, or lazy efforts could have been met with reminders that she didn't pursue her dreams or get to live in her dream house, or buy clothes that she wanted -
instead they were met with understanding, encouragement and love.
How she would have loved to have raised me in the 'time out' discipline era, but fortunately for me, my well deserved punishments came before that time - I needed it...often, she couldn't stand doing it, but she did it and I'm thankful she did.
Nor could I, her only child, have guessed then that going to college 10 hours away, or moving to California after college to build my career,
was causing her so much pain. She let me go, insisting that I was making the absolute right decisions and then worried privately,
and cried alone.
I am telling her why she's the Greatest in this contest, simply because SHE ASKED ME TO.
After all she has done for me over the years, she finally asked me to do this one little thing for her (so I think she must really be ready to get some of that furniture she has lived without for so many years).
And I love her very much - that was not part of her request :)
