The Unexpected Mother’s Day

I no longer shop for Mother’s Day cards.  My mother passed away a couple of years ago.  But for many years prior to her passing, I had fun calling her home on Mother’s Day, and when her husband Bill answered the phone, I’d say “Happy Mother’s Day, you mother!” That always evoked a hearty laugh.  I repeated that tradition last Sunday, Mother’s Day, and got the same laugh.  

I am a mother.  My daughter Jessica lives in San Diego, and is very bad about sending cards, and often forgets to call on my birthday or Mother’s Day.  In fact, if I were her, I would forget the apology and just stock up on belated birthday cards and belated Mother’s day cards, and put them in the mail when it is convenient. 

I really don’t mind. I raised her to be independent, and that is what she is.  She never calls asking for money.

But I was feeling a little vulnerable as Mother’s Day approached this year, so I extracted (by asking very nicely) a promise from my partner Bill Hudson to make waffles for me Sunday morning, Mother’s Day.  That was enough to fulfill my need to feel special and appreciated on Mother’s Day.

Then, at 3:45am that Sunday morning, I received a voicemail from Jessica.  “Hi Mom.  Happy Mother’s Day!  I got into finals at SwingDiego, and it will be live streamed on the internet.  I’ll tell you more later.”

Jessica loves West Coast Swing dancing, and began competing a couple of years ago.  It seems to be a lifestyle that usurps all of her free time and vacation time and money.  SwingDiego’s nickname is “SuperBowl of Swing”.  It’s a five-day event that that takes place every Mothers Day weekend, and attracts an international West Coast Swing crowd.   These dance-crazed young and old kids dance all night long just for the love of dancing, and then compete during the day and evening.

Later that morning, Bill surprised me by not just making waffles, but waffles with blue berries and strawberries and home made whipped cream, and Canadian bacon, and, to top it off, a bottle of champagne. Cheers!  What a special brunch for a cold and blustery Mother’s Day!  

Then Jessica called with explicit instructions as to how to watch the SwingDiego finals — a live stream event.  She said she was a finalist in the Intermediate Jack and Jill competition.  Jack and Jill competitions randomly pair the man (leader) and the woman (follower) moments before they compete as partners.  There is no choreography. 

The live stream was easy to log on to.  The picture quality and sound were great.  This was my first peek at a West Coast Swing competition, and I was mesmerized by the dancers.

Finally, the  Intermediate Jack and Jill Finals began.  Jessica’s name was the fourth picked from the hat.  Then, there she was!  Dancing live on my computer screen!  On Mother’s Day!

As her group left the dance floor, they walked by the camera, and Jessica mouthed, “Hi Mom!”  I texted her what I saw, and she texted back “Hahahaha!”

Jessica and her partner didn’t trophy in their event, but no worries.  She was amazed she made Finals, and that was the real prize.  And, of course, that her mom could watch her dance from a thousand miles away.

So thanks to Bill and Jessica for a most unexpected Mother’s Day.  I feel blessed.