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So I realize that there actually might be some readers out there. I apologize for not writing more frequently. I never really thought that people would care one way or another and actually look forward to seeing what might be next. To be honest, when the team is not winning, I don't feel like writing too much because I fear the readers will sit there and tell me I should focus on playing rather than writing. However I was in Yoga class yesterday over at YogaSource Los Gatos (shameless plug I know) and the woman played "This woman's work" by Kate Bush and told us to remember our mothers. The idea hit me then to use this blog as a tribute to this special group. When I was in high school, I met a single mother of three. Her oldest daughter had developed a severe mental disorder which caused her to need someone to take car of her full time. Some parents would have chosen to hire help, others would have put her in care for part of the day, week, month, who knows. Although Leslie Jellinek decided to take care of her daughter full time. On top of that, she had to raise her other two daughters entirely by herself. I was friends with her youngest daughter, Lindsey. I was so impressed with how much time, devotion, love, and care she had for her family. This holiday is for women like Leslie. When I was in Colorado, I was introduced to a mother of four. She had raised her first child by herself until she met her second husband, Mike. The couple had three more children in the years that followed. It was a hectic time for the family with all the children running in different directions. Mike would travel at times, leaving the burden to Lyn and her children. While raising the kids, Lyn Murphy received a call from social services. A distant family member's children were temporarily taken away and they were looking for a new home. Rather than turn her back on children she had never met, Lyn decided to take in two (and at times three) more children into the house. She loved them like they were her own: stayed up late nights, woke up early mornings, fed them, washed them ( the kids were two years and 6 months!!), and brought them into an already crowded house. The kids are gone today and back with their real parents, but they still keep in touch with "auntie Lyn". Being there first hand, it was incredible to see that situation work itself out. This holiday is for women like Lyn. Growing up in the Bay Area, my best friend Mark and I were very close ever since my junior year in high school. Mark is one of the best men I know all around. He's smart, humorous, respectful, and has an incredible disposition about him. He's always been an amazing friend and has never let our friendship get lost. Growing up I spent a lot of time with Mark and his family. I'm sure his dad, Chuck, would take a lot of credit for Mark's personality, but this blog isn't about Dads (haha....maybe next month!!). Molly Fumia is independent, strong, beautiful, intelligent, an incredible author, a mother of six, a great friend, and also an Earthquakes fan!!! I would always be so impressed by how Mark's parents were just so gosh darn "perfect". No folks, seriously, they always hosted the best parties, would open their doors to the entire neighborhood, give their kids a gracious curfew, and didn't mind if you "TP'ed" their house once in awhile. Molly was so incredible because she always had time for her kids, lending her ears, eyes, and her great big heart not only to them, but to me as well (as I'm sure countless other family friends). There was no way to avoid a heart to heart talk with this woman because she could only speak from her heart. And this is what makes her truly special. All of her kids have turned out amazing, she has written several incredible books, and on top of all this, she's an Earthquakes season ticket holder. This holiday is definitely for women like Molly. Born sick in Sun Valley, Idaho, the two twins were immediately flown to Salt Lake City. Barbara Ann knew that there was no choice but to be with her babies. Already a mother of one, she and her new husband were blessed with two more children. In the next few years, they would have two more children. In all, Barbara was mother to five boys. She spent part of her life as a flight attendant, leaving her kids behind while she tried to make money for her family. She later would quit when the younger two were born so she could devote all of her time to her children. Not a moment went by without her watching, protecting, and making sure her children were given the best opportunities. Her sons played every sport: diving, swimming, baseball, basketball, football, water polo, skateboarding, soccer, ice hockey, skiing, archery, gymnastics, and even karate. She would cross districts just so her kids could play flag football because it wasn't offered in their own school district. She would call the junior high and pester them to let her twins be in their leadership class after initially being denied entrance. She would drive thousands of miles to take her kids to every sporting event imaginable. Barbara would get up early to watch for the school bus through the cold Idaho snow while her kids would run out to catch it on her signal. She devoted all of her time to her children leaving no time for her and her marriage. When the twins wanted to go to private school, and money became a little tight, Barbara decided to become a real estate agent to help her family out. She knew nothing about the subject but was dedicated to her family. She walked through neighborhoods, dressed her kids up in Grub E. Bear mascot attire to attend events, catered to all the needs of her clients, worked long hours and still managed to take care of her family. Today she is one of the most successful realtors in Silicon Valley. She had very little time for chores, so the kids picked up some slack. As throughout so many of the years, her husband would be gone for long periods of time. Sometimes even up to three months and Barbara would be left taking care of her five (mostly four sons, the oldest was out of the house) boys. The parents had license plates like "kid kab" and "5 suns". They were devoted to the lives of their children, sacrificing all of their own joys and pleasures at times. The strain on the marriage had taken its’ toll and Barbara got divorced. There was a fear of the empty nest for her as her children got older. Although in the last 8 years, each one of her children have lived under her roof at one time or another. All of them knowing what they mistakenly took for granted for so many years. They were brought into this world by Super Mom. I have never told my mom how much I appreciate every thing she's ever done for me. I would be lying to say that I'm writing this with dry eyes, but I'm 33 and I have no clue why I have waited so long to tell my mom exactly how I feel. Barbara Ann Cannon has done everything for me to make sure I had every opportunity to succeed. She's not only the reason why I'm able to write this blog, to play goalkeeper for my favorite team in the world, but the reason why I'm able to enjoy all these incredible moments which I take for granted as much as I have taken her for granted. My mother and I have always had our differences but as I look back now, she's always made sure that I was well off and have everything I need to be happy. Even today, I love going home, and hanging out in the house I grew up in. My mom is the reason why. She has kept so many things around to remind us of how great our family is. There are so many countless stories of how my mom has always been there for me and my siblings. She still comes to all my home games still and Tivo's all the ones while I am away. Even when playing in Colorado and LA, I could still come home to watch my recorded games on TV. I don't know how to express this appropriately in this forum, but I want to say Thank You to my mom, for being so wonderful, patient, caring, bold, forgiving, providing, sincere, sacrificing, gracious, respectful and kind. In short, Thank You for loving me (and my brothers). You are the best mom a son could ask for, and this day is especially for you. I love you mom & Happy Mother's Day to you and all the mothers out there that mean as much to their families as you do to ours. This Woman's Work
Pray God you can cope.
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I should be crying, but I just can't let it show.
Of all the things I should've said,
Oh, darling, make it go,
Give me these moments back.
(I know you have a little life in you yet.
I should be crying, but I just can't let it show.
Of all the things we should've said,
Oh, darling, make it go away. -Kate Bush- PS Special HMD to Connie Boeddeker, Leanne Daily, Teri Ponzo, Lisa (half sister), Elizabeth Montoya, Pat Leonard and to all my other friends' moms!!! Have comments or questions for Joe about his blogs? Send them over to questions@sjearthquakes.com |
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