Whose Day?

When I was growing up, I learned that in Mexico Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 10, regardless of which day of the week it falls on.  So we often had Mother’s Day on May 10 and then again a few days later for the American Mother’s Day.  May 10 was also my brother’s, Richard’s, birthday so May 10 was a double celebration.

Richard was very close to my mom.  When he was in middle school, he saved up the quarters that he was given for lunch at school and bought my  mother a Mother’s Day present which he gave her on his birthday, May 10.  One year, he gave her a fancy ink pen.  At least to us it was fancy.  It wasn’t a fountain pen.  It wasn’t a Mont Blanc.  It was just a silver tone Parker pen but it wasn’t one that was available at the regular store.  Richard had to go downtown to the jewelry store to buy it.  I remember my mom feeling really bad that Richard had gone hungry for weeks in order to save money for her gift.  I think it made that pen even more special because of the sacrafice my brother had made. And I think it also made Richard very proud of his gift.

Richard is gone now but I know that May 10 is still a very special day for my mom.  And for the rest of us that miss him so much.

Happy Birthday, Richard.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.