What is a Mother?

If there is something one cannot do without, it is Mother. Father loves her, daughter imitates her, son ignores her, salesmen thrive on her, motorists hurry around her, teacher phones her, and the woman next door confides in her.

Mother can be sweeter than sugar, more sour than a lemon, all smiles, and crying her heart out all within any give two-minute period.

Mother likes sewing, detective stories, having her birthday remembered, church, a new dress, the cleaning woman, father's praise, a little lipstick, flowers and plants, bridge, dinner out on Sunday, policemen, one

whole day in bed, crossword puzzles, sunny day, tea, and the newspaper person.

She dislikes doing the dishes, father's boss, having her birthday forgotten, the motorist behind her, spring cleaning, junior's report card, rainy days, the neighbor's dog, stairs and the man who was supposed to cut the grass.

Mother can be found standing by, bending over, reaching for, kneeling under, and stretching around, but rarely sitting on.

Mother has the beauty of a spring day, the patience of a saint, the appetite of a small bird, and the memory of a large elephant.

Mother knows the lowest prices, everybody's birthday, what you should be doing, and your secret thoughts.

Mother is always straightening up after, reminding you to, and taking care of, but never asking for.

Yes, a mother is one thing that nobody can do without. And when you have harassed her, buffeted her about, tried her patience, and worn her out, and it seems that the end of the world is about to descend upon you, then you can win her back with four little words, "Mom, I love your!"

~ William Greenbaum II