Random reminder

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 28

Random reminder

MOTHER’S DAY

Mother’s Day is once more behind us for the year, but a Christchurch mother of our acquaintance views her day of days with wary suspicion. Several years ago, when her three sons were rollicking school boys, the second, Sunday in May dawned. She waited expectantly for “the breakfast-in-bed, general cosseting” routine the news media had directed all youngsters to extend to their mothers on this, her special day. By lunch-time, still no recognition had come to light, but suddenly Dad realised why his wife had adopted such a martyred, “you’ll-be-sorry-some-day” attitude. Chivalrously attempting to make amends, he strode into the lounge, and

smiling fatuously, said to his boys, “Well, as you know, today is Mother’s Day, so we must take Mum somewhere very special for this afternoon. Any suggestions?” Mum’s spirits rose in anticipation of a leisurely drive in the country, finishing perhaps with the luxury of a “cuppa” at a wayside tearooms. For one second the boys looked blankly at one another, then with one voice shouted, “Yes, great idea. Let’s go to the Aylesbury rubbish dump for the afternoon, you never know what we’ll find.” Is it any wonder that this grey-haired matron now views the arrival of the month of May with apprehension and some cynicism?