Stuck In Rainy Pattern, I Remember Mama

The Drought Monitor, which is issued every Thursday, had us in the excessive (level 3) drought category.  You need to know that the rainfall data is only up to the Tuesday before the monitor comes out, meaning none of the rain that has fallen in the past 3 days is included.  Next Thursday's Monitor should look much different as significant rainfall should put a dent in the drought data.

As you can see, our current rains are not about to leave us anytime soon.  So rather than explain why we will stay ugly through Monday, let me reflect on something I wrote for the Times-Picayune back in 2015.  They asked me (and several other on-air folks) to write a letter titled,  I REMEMBER MAMA.  With tomorrow being Mother's Day, read and enjoy and think about the woman who gave you life.

"I remember Mama when I was 4 years old, after I had hit my head running into a table in our basement. The golf ball-sized knot on my noggin scared me, but Mama said I would be OK.  She was right.

I remember Mama when I went to kindergarten crying, thinking she wouldn't come back to get me.  She said she would, and she did.

I remember Mama stricken with Arthritis in her 40s, taking hot wax treatments with my Dad's help, refusing to become a "cripple", vowing to go on living and moving...and she did.

I remember Mama when I took her and Dad to Hawaii for their 50th wedding anniversary; that was as much a celebration for me as it was for them.  Dad said he wouldn't go...Mama said she would...and they did.

But I'll always remember Mama the day we said goodbye to Dad.  After burying my brother's (Jim) wife (Marie) the day before, and after a long wake for my Father the next day, Mama could go no more. On the day of his funeral, she collapsed into my arms and onto the floor, too weak to even stand.  I assured her that my sisters and I would take care of "Pop" and I placed her in bed to rest & sleep.  After the church Mass, on the way to the cemetery, I used my cell phone to call Mama to let her know the funeral procession would pass by her home.  With the help of her caregiver, she was able to get up to our front window and, as the hearse passed, waved a final goodbye to the man she shared 57+ years.  I could clearly see the love she still had for my Dad.  That's how I'll always remember Mama. Mama passed in 2013.

For those of you lucky enough to still have your Mama alive...be with her this Mother's Day.  If you can't, call her, FaceTime, whatever, just thank her for your life and tell her you'll always love & remember Mama.  Stay tuned!