Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Sunday, April 27, 2008

Get ready to treat Mom like a queen

By Sara Moseley / Community columnist

With the rapid approach of Mother’s Day, most of us support the greeting card and floral industries with sentimental gushing about how much we appreciate these strong, intelligent and smart women who gave us life and have groomed us into what we have become at whatever age in life we are.

Although the cards and associated sentiment are nice and appreciated by most moms, I want to suggest we all take some time to identify those key things that makes mom Mom.

I would like to share some of my favorites of my mother. It’s a odd mix somewhere between “Chicken Soup for the Soul” and Jeff Foxworthy’s “You Might be a Redneck.” In no particular order of importance ...

Lesson 1. “Think green in terms of your laundry.” For as long as I can remember, the wringer washer, clothes bar and clothes line were an integral part of wash day. And yes, even with snow on the ground, blue jeans will dry on a clothes line in January. Save the dryer for really special occasions.

Lesson 2. “Set your priorities.” Each time I set out on a new adventure (desert marathon, hiking the Grand Canyon, moving to Alaska, 60-mile breast cancer walk, etc.) she always gives me a card — the message may be slightly different, but the theme is the same. “When you reach your destination, thank God for getting you there safely and then buy yourself a drink!”

Lesson 3. “Appreciate and respect your place in nature.” The same hands that lovingly taught me how to bottle-feed an orphan lamb, pig and mule can deliver an accurate, deadly blow to an errant field mouse in the kitchen. The strong hands that showed me how to pull porcupine quills out of a terrier’s muzzle can safely capture a lost garden snake under a five-gallon pail and return it to the wild.

Lesson 4. “Tears.” They are an expression of a multitude of emotions. She has taught me that it’s almost normal to go from insane laughter to gut-wrenching sobs in less than 15 seconds. And although very cleansing to the soul, it’s best not demonstrated in public.

Lesson 5. “Just do it.” Visiting a hospital room, hospice house or funeral home, a trip to the dentist or an annual physical exam. These are all things we don’t like to do but for reasons greater than ourselves, or because of ourselves, we need to do them.

There are many lessons left unlearned — no dirty dishes left in the sink before bed, keeping a daily journal, a clean and orderly home and eating green beans.

As we continue to learn and grow, I hope to pick up these good habits (except for those green beans!). And don’t forget to splurge on a special gift, fit for a queen. (Chocolate stars and a jar of peanut butter, anyone?)

Sara Moseley is operations manager at Ocean Spray Cranberries, weekend helper at Moseley’s Roadside Market produce stand and tour guide for the Warrens Cranberry Festival bus tours.