Mother's Day

I remember the time I was running and fell in the backyard, scraping knees and elbows and I ran screaming to you. "Why does this always happen to me?" You said I was a big boy and I would one day grow into my long clumsy feet. And I did.

I remember you dragging the three of us everywhere like it was no trouble at all to work full-time as a college professor and raise three kids. Years later when I asked you how you did it, you said you honestly didn't remember it being that hard. You were kinda..joyful about it.

I remember you giving that speech at the Smithsonian. That was the first time I realized you weren't just my Mom, but a super smart scholar. I was flabbergasted. You were big time, and I didn't even know it!

I remember quite often asking you if you loved me. You always said the same thing. "Yes. A bushel and a peck!" You said you once thought about telling me 'no' just as a joke. But you never did.

I remember you grading papers from your students and agonizing over giving out bad grades. You really didn't like handing out 'D's and 'F's. But you did it anyway. It always amazed me that they loved you so much when you were so tough. But then I realized they loved you for expecting so much from them...and from yourself.

I remember you never complaining about whole basketball teams of smelly guys traipsing through the house. My buddies and I joked that you must be a saint for putting up with us in your kitchen all the time. You just said it was no real trouble.

I remember giving the speech at the retirement ceremony they gave you. It had been 10 years since you left Howard U. and they packed the chapel. I told you then what you meant to us and I said you were lucky 'cause most of us don't get to hear this while they're still alive.

I remember getting the call at the gym that Spring morning. I can't ever forget the sound in my brother's voice. "She's leaving. You better get here." I remember the drive to the hospital. It all seemed surreal. Mom is dying? How could that be?

I remember getting the call that evening at my brother's house. They told us you were gone. 3 years ago. 4/5/05. Sometimes I still can't believe it. But I remember ...everything.