“Hey Siri, give me a quote to describe a horrible person I wouldn’t even piss on if they were on fire.”
Siri, trying her best to stay holy, offers me something from Pope Francis. Now I’m thinking...for fuck’s sake, I can’t start Monday’s Morning Chalkboard with a scathing takedown wrapped in a quote from the Pope.
But I was pissed. I Still am, if I’m being honest.
I woke up angry at an ungrateful person. I drove to work, prayed on the way, and still felt like ripping this person a new asshole.
Sunday was Mother’s Day.
Hazel....sweet, thoughtful Hazel asked if we could pick up tulips and give her mom the fresh sourdough loaf that Senada the Bread Baker made for me.
“Absolutely, Hazel.”
Sunday evening, Hazel gets out of Francine the Ford Flex with a huge smile, holding the bouquet we carefully arranged. Fritz has the bread tucked under his arm like a football. It was one of those moments you hang onto, a kid's heart trying to do something beautiful.
Let me point something out:
I’ve been divorced for seven years, and it still hurts every Wednesday around 8:30 p.m. and every other Sunday at 5:30. Like clockwork. Drop-offs always feel like a kick in the throat… followed by a kick in the nuts.
About an hour after that Mother’s Day drop-off, I get a message:
“DAD! Mom threw the bread away and is probably going to throw the tulips away too!!!”
I only replied, “That’s too bad. AOHM.”
(Hazel knows it means All Of My Heart.)
Hazel and her brothers are starting to see things for themselves now. Which parent is kind, and which one is... well, I won’t finish that sentence, but you know.
I rarely use the Morning Chalkboard to vent. But seriously, who the fuck throws away flowers and bread on Mother’s Day?
Someone with no foundation. No faith. No family. No real friends.
And yet...
...It’s Monday.
And Monday brings astonishing gifts to those who show up with an open heart, even one that’s been bruised. The sun rose over Chicagoland at 5:35 a.m., and we’re looking at a mild, partly sunny day with a high near 76°.
Keep your eyes on the moon this week and your heart will remain steady.
