Mom was cool enough to go on a date with me last Saturday for her birthday. We went to see CHAPPELLE’s flick even though her book club had been whooping and hollering about Madea. Mom kept it ghetto with me as we snuck in some Wendy’s chili, fries and two frosties. She isn’t a big fan of CHAPPELLE but she does like purple grape drink so I thought she still might enjoy the film.
The night was more about getting her out of her house and doing something different. Don’t get it twisted, she does get out of the house. Mom is a Lord & Taylor frequent flier and they have a parking spot reserved for her in Manhasset. She still makes her midnight PathMark runs for Haagen Daz Light Cherry Fudge Truffle. I remember when she drafted me a few weeks ago to drive to a PathMark in Suffolk county just because the ice cream was on sale two for one. You should have seen me driving on the Southern State at 90mph just to get her and her ice cream home before it melted.
If my dad were still here he would have been her CO-D in the driver’s seat. No matter how much he complained about my mom’s idiosyncracies he supported them to the fullest. I laugh sometimes when I think about how he told me that I was her most willing soldier, but it was really him. I am so grateful to the great GOD in the sky that I was granted the opportunity to see the two of them together when my eyes had finally grown up. Loving people is the hardest thing to do on this planet. Even harder than refining uranium. There are going to be so many times where you think about how easy it would be if you just walked away. The children will become devils and the in-laws turn into outlaws. But walking away is for cowards. My parents were courageous and they were crazy in love. That crazy break shit up in the house to get your point across kind of love. There has been a lot less broken stuff in their house these last few years but the committed intensity of their love has never waned.
My folks worked their asses off at loving one another and that would be evident whenever one of their birthdays was approaching. For my dad’s 60th birthday my mom called in everybody who was near and dear to my dad. She made people drive up from Virginia and fly up from Atlanta. I was conscripted to work the grill and she brought in catered food from one of Long Island’s best soul food restaurants. My mom made sure that my dad was surrounded by his dearest family and friends. That afternoon in their backyard might have been the happiest that I have ever seen my dad. Upon reflection it symbolized his farewell party. Dad didn’t make it to see his 61st new year.
I have a few other things planned for mom for her birthday. Tonight my brother, his wife and their son will go to the house and have a quiet gathering. Mom, C.S. and I are going to an off-Broadway theatre the following night. I felt like going out to a movie with mom on Saturday is what Dad would have done. Alright, Dad wouldn’t have snuck the food in, because dad was classy, and I’m just ashy. Dad would definitely have let mom know how much he loved her, and she loved him. That job falls into my brothers and my own hands now. We should be happy and proud to accept it. Dad has already shown us how its done.
Happy birthday Mom.
Love forever,
Darry, Kito and Dad
That is such a beautiful tribute. Almost made me cry…but I am working; I would look pretty silly in my cubicle crying.
It is so important to cherish and love people while they are living.
dude you just made me call my mom….
ohh your mama reminds me of mine with the ice cream cravings! To be your mother’s most willing soldier is a blessing in and of itself. I hope my mother can think so fondly of my honorary ass one day!
That was a beautiful post. Happy New Year to her!!
:: sniff, sniff ::
I swear Dal, I love that picture of your folks (the same one on my CD). This was a wonderful post and tribute to your parents and the wonderful enduring and LASTING love they shared. We should all aspire to have a love like that in our lives – at least once. Thanks for being a supportive friend during my bumps with Mack. I can only HOPE that my marriage is as great as the one your parents had. We’re workin on it!!
Happy Birthday MOM!!!
One Word..WOW
Good shite dude, keep up the good work. Btw, what street in BK was the top flick taken? looks like either Bed Stuy or Crown heights
ladies and gentlemen, Combat Jack is in the building.
I wanna say that pic is in the Bush’ somewhere. My dad’s oldest homie from V.A. lives on Schaeffer St. and we spent a lot of time driving on the interboro to get to ol’ boys crib.
Peace god ,
You said old earth and said thanks from the gods but then go on to thank that mystery god in the sky that don’t exist.5% or 85% reality or belief,facts or assumption. Make that chose. You got the truth dormant in u that why u said the above but ……………..
Born7,
Peace God,
I appreciate your dialogue at my site because its always passionate and real.
I adopt terminology because I like the truth that it is rooted in, my mom is my Earth because she keeps me grounded. Grounded in reality.
There is a book called ‘The Giving Tree’ written by Shel Silverstein and I would suggest that anyone who has had a mother should buy this book. It is a story that I read over to myself every 3-4 months because it reminds me of the sacrifices that mothers make for us.
No doubt, been peepin this site for a while and for an old BK head like me, it’s refreshing to read 1st hand shit about the Deceps. I remember mad crews from back when, Puma Boys, Lo-Lifes, Cats, of course the 5%’s, all that, all that. Funny how all that wreck shit inspired us fortunate ones to do bigger and better things with our lives while still reppin the foundationals. Man, I used to hate when me and a chick was ridin home on the #2 to New Lots from the Duece, after catching a flick and witnessing the whole train get “steamed”, car by effin car, by mad BK vandal niggas. I also used to go peep that dance studio/school in Queens (the one Prodigy used to attend) on account of all the fly chicks that were dancing (I didn’t dance). Niggas in Queens were always on some grimey shit. That’s when the rep was that out of the 5 boroughs, Queens had the best dime pieces. Keep it up man, way up. Nullus.
Dude, your mommas skin is flawless.
70’s glow is that ‘ish.
Thank you again Dal for sending that book to my boys…it’s still Ryan’s favorite and it hasn’t left his backpack since I brought it home! You ROCK!