Hey Men (and ladies like me who can’t remember holidays besides Christmas and our own birthday),

Last night I overheard a conversation between my mother and brother about how Jeff Tweedy strengthened their relationship. If you don’t know who Mr. Tweedy is, he’s the lead singer of the band Wilco. If you don’t know who Wilco is, then you should probably change that fact.

I often speak about the power a daughter can have when writing a respect card to her father. So, a couple of years ago, I had my Mommacita share some ideas of how to write a simple, but meaningful, letter to your mom (that would be far more valuable than flowers).

Like dying flowers, my mother and I both focus on “the end” a lot. Her closing words in the last Mother’s Day post said:

“This may be morbid, but don’t wait until her funeral to tell her the things you feel in your heart.”

Many of you found the ideas helpful, so I thought we could make a Mother’s Day Post 2.0. I’m sitting with my mom in her living room, as she dictates the story of my brother, Jeff Tweedy and the song that made her cry.

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In Her Words:

“My son was fresh out of college and leaving for another long trip. I remember coming into the kitchen and seeing a little note that said, “Mom, listen to this song.”

He is a man of few words, so these lyrics spoke volumes to me. Years later, we ended up dancing to this song at his wedding. I know my son, Jonathan, has deep emotions–and for a long time, I didn’t give him enough credit for being deeply emotional because he didn’t express his emotions the way I thought he should (a.k.a. like me). This song opened my eyes to how he really felt. I have chosen to cherish this song because I knew he was making an effort to communicate how he felt about me.   

There is so much power in words, even if verbal expression isn’t your thing. Through a song or note, you can simply say the things your mom (or wife) is wondering if you feel. Men who understand this hold the ability to give the greatest gift.

If you convince yourself, “Oh she knows I love her, I don’t need to say it,” you miss out on the opportunity to give your mom a verbal gift that costs you nothing, but is priceless to her. 

Even as I listen to this song again this morning, I started crying because I know it expresses what he feels. Of my two sons, I have one who is far more affectionate than the other–and he has been that way since I brought him home from the hospital. I love that he is made uniquely and I have accepted that he is different than me. So this song, and that moment many years ago when I discovered the note and pushed play, is a memory I will cherish for years to come. 

And I think your mom will, too.”

With the Love and Respect of a Momma,

Mrs. E

(Can’t see this video? Click HERE.)

Please Tell My Brother

By: Jeff Tweedy

 

Please tell my brothers I love them still
Over the mountains on their phone bill
I should call more often
But they know I never will
Please tell my brothers I love them still

Please tell my sister I miss her too
My nieces and nephews and their swimming pools
When I think about her
Her skies are blue
Please tell my sister I miss her too

Please tell my father I love him still
Forget the railroad and all those bills
Head for the cooler
And drink your fill
Please tell my father I love him still

Listen dear mother, I miss you the most
And as I travel from coast to coast
I feel your love an’
I feel your ghost
Listen dear mother, I miss you the most
Listen dear mother, I miss you the most

p.s. Oh, and if Jeff Tweedy doesn’t move you, check this out…

(Can’t see this video? Click HERE.)

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