Mother knew best about many things

My son Ben bought the mug at right on the Internet in 2004.


Years before everyone had a cell phone, my mother told me I should get a new thing called a car phone because I drove so much and I could call for help if needed. I rolled my eyes and said, “Who needs a phone in a car?” Later I gave in and got the phone, which was almost as big as a shoe box. The rest is history.

Years before everyone had suitcases with wheels, my mother said I should stop dragging my big suitcase around and get one with wheels. I rolled my eyes and told her that was silly. Eventually I gave in, and now, of course, most people use suitcases with wheels.

My mother also told me, when the 2004 Democratic convention came around, that I should watch the speech given by a young senate candidate named Barack Obama. I told her most of those speeches were boring, and that I didn’t even know who this Barack Obama was.

“He’s going to be president some day,” she said.

Last night, when the early returns still showed that no red states had flipped to blue, I anxiously called Ben in New Jersey. Ben, who is something of a presidential historian, told me to calm down. This was a kid whose favorite bedtime books included a history of the presidents. As a kindergartener, he could recite the presidents in order, and my mother loved to show his talent off to her friends.

When Ohio went for Obama last night, the phone rang, and it was Ben saying, “I told you.”

As it looked better and better, Katie sat on the edge of the couch. At 16, she doesn’t remember much about 2000, but she felt the sting of 2004. When Obama won, she danced around the room.

When I talked to Ben again, I said that I think his grandmother, who died two years ago this month, is happy about it in heaven. (I’m sure that my father, who died in 2002, is happy too.)

Ben said that his grandma had probably found Obama’s grandma to congratulate her.

It was an unbelievable night.

Mother really did know best.