A few thoughts strung together in honor of Mother’s Day

Did you know (to borrow the phrase from my colleague Jack Bagley) that many American presidents were mama’s boys? 

The phrase often comes with a negative connotation, referring to a man who can’t, or won’t, do anything without the approval of his mother. But if it’s good enough for the leader of the free world, perhaps it’s good enough for the rest of us. 

A 1985 opinion piece in The Washington Post laid out some of the best examples of this assertion. FDR, considered the first in the age of the modern presidency, refused to commit to a campaign without his mother’s consent. Harry Truman hung a portrait of his mother in the White House and had her on the phone within the hour that war on the Pacific Theatre ended in 1945. 

Richard Nixon called his mother a “saint” in his farewell address as he left the Oval Office disgraced. When his predecessor Lyndon Johnson was a senator, he would frequently break away from important meetings to reportedly phone home to Texas to “see what mama thinks.” There’s certainly nothing wrong with calling your mama. 

I call my mother almost every day. 

That does not mean that I talk to my mom every day. Many of the telephone calls are simply proof of existence and well-being, just enough communication to know all is well. I do see her once or twice a week, as well, but that doesn’t mean I’m visiting. 

There’s always something pulling at my attention: someone else to visit, some project to work on and kids that always crave recognition. It’s the curse that comes with the blessing of having a big family with many aging relatives. There’s never enough time to spend with the people you care most about. 

On Monday mornings I often make the mistake of browsing through social media. That’s a mistake on most days, but especially on Monday. The beginning of the week is when people post their Saturday adventures. You see lively scenes of family outings, comments on special events friends attended and details of the various adventures of the people in your news feed. 

I often wonder if I’ve become a boring person. What did I do this weekend? The same thing I do most weekends. Go check on mama. Go sit with granny for a spell. Then off to the next obligation. The funny thing is that when I leave, I wish I stayed longer, and I can’t wait to go back or to make that next phone call.  

This gets put in a better perspective when you encounter someone who no longer has their grandmother or mother to call or visit. There will always be time for an adventure but the time with the people you love is limited and not guaranteed. 

What am I doing this weekend? I’m going to check on my mama and sit with my granny for a spell. If that makes me a boring person, then I’m OK with that. 

Happy Mother’s Day. 

You can reach Kyle Dominy at k.l.dominy@gmail.com or write to 115 South Jefferson Street, Dublin Ga. 31021