Although I’m only 26 (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). I’ve been Husband’s life for 20 years (Sheesh
that’s a long time). For years, even
before we were married I have been tasked with gift giving. I took this on willingly. Men, especially David, don’t have a
particular acumen for picking out Mother’s Day gifts or remembering his sister’s
birthday. I like doing it. But….
But there’s one date that my brain absolutely REFUSES to remember
for all time. Unfortunately this date is
Husband’s mother’s birthday. I have an
excuse… Truly I do. For years – more than a decade even – before I
even had to remember or recognize my now mother-in-law’s birthday, Husband has
told me that she was born on D-Day. As a
history major and enthusiast this was easy for me to remember. Duh, D-Day, June 6, 1944. Easy.
Done. Got it!!!!
While dating husband neglected some birthdays of his mother’s. He was in the Army or otherwise
occupied. It was fine. When I came in the picture “for reals,” I
wanted to make sure I had this all worked out.
“When’s your mother’s birthday,” I’d ask. Husband would answer, “Oh that’s easy! Mom was born on D-day!” Again as the history person my brain
automatically registered: June 6,
1944. I scooted by some years by sending
something around June 1st, so if there wasn’t a call on the actually
day, we were OK. Years pass and send her
flowers or whatever sort of acknowledgement on June 6 thinking I have thinks spot on... Through events that I don’t really recall, it
was brought to my attention that her birthday, in fact is NOT on D-day….. WTH?!?!?!
So through some “cloak and dagger” methods and old fashioned research, I
learned that her birthday IS NOT D-Day!!!!!
My mother in law was born on June 2, 1942….. Ahhhhh!!!!!
He didn’t even have the year correct.
Not even the right day. How that was confused at D-day, I’ll not
bother to know. But by this point, my
feeble mind has it ingrained that her birthday is June 6, 1944. I.Can’t.Get.Past.This….. So for years, I’ve been trying to remember
when exactly her birthday is. My brain
refuses to retain this information – much to my chagrin and dismay.
As gifts and birthdays are my division I’ve had to do some “finagling”
and covering up to hide my (and Husband’s) ignorance.
That brings me to this week.
Double crap!!! Waking up with a
start I realize that mother-in-law’s birthday is this week and I don’t know if
it is the 2nd or the 4th (or perhaps some other day). I look up and my phone and the date reads
June 3rd. I’ve got a 50/50
shot here, people.
Husband has left on his primitive, off the grid fishing trip
in Northern Minnesota. Desperately
hoping that he’s at least not out of texting range I send him a message
reading, “You haven’t missed your mom’s birthday AGAIN have you???” Later I get a simple response, “No.” I’m relieved but I still don’t have the
answer I require. Before he gets truly “off
grid” he calls me. “So do you know when
your mother’s birthday is???” “Yes,” he
answers. It was on the – wait for it –
THE 2ND!!!
I’ll not subject you to the string of expletives that came
from my mouth. How could he think that
WE didn’t miss her birthday? He was in “guy
fishing mode.” I asked him if he’d
called her. “Well, no!” was his impassive,
nonchalant response. I recall more expletives
here. The he said, “Why don’t you give
her a call, she’d love to hear from you….”
GRRRRRRR. I conjure up some
lame-o excuse about “getting Husband off on his trip.” She was gracious and warm as always. Husband’s sister has whisked her off on a
girls’ vacation since Husband’s father and Husband are together fishing on her
70th birthday. I didn’t get
specifics, but it sounded like they were in a hotel suite somewhere finishing
up shrimp cocktails and deciding when to go to the spa. I was glad for the reprieve, but I vaguely wondered
why I wasn’t included. But that’s for
another day.
So here’s hoping that from here on out I can remember that the
“Date that will live in infamy,” IS NOT MY MOTHER IN LAW’S BIRTHDAY…..
Oh, Jacob isn't the only one who has no clue nor care about his Mother's or Father's or brother's birthdays?? I will have to have him read this...it will make him feel so much better! HA
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