The buildup began last Saturday.
“I’m giving Mom the best Mother’s Day present ever,” my brother whispered across the pew at my niece Erin’s First Communion.
Then, he passed me his cell phone and, with some skepticism, I took a look.
“Are you kidding me?” I said. “This is amazing.”
“I’m going to be the favorite child,” he replied.
He sent the phone over to each of my sisters and watched them gasp in amazement.
All week my mom read hinting emails from her eldest and only son.
“I’m going to ascend to the favorite child seat on your right side,” he wrote.
The actual unveiling took place at Mother’s Day brunch.
I polished my lens for the occasion.
Maybe you’re wondering at this point, why all the fuss? What did my brother and his family give my mom for Mother’s Day?
My mother loves to talk about her time as a trumpet player in her high school marching band. With just the slightest encouragement, she will demonstrate a marching strut so enthusiastic that it often landed her in the principal’s office at Our Lady of Angels High School. She also loves her Badgers and the UW marching band, especially its famous Fifth Quarter.
At one game this season, thanks to my brother and sister in-law, my mom will be guest conducting the UW band during the fifth quarter.
We had as much fun watching my mom open her gift as seeing my brother give it to her. Of course, the best Mother’s Day gift ever is the opportunity to hang out with your mom.
P.S. I gave her a plant. Whatevs.
Love it. Made me smile. My sisters and I have always had a competition about who was Mom or Dad’s favorite. It continues to this day.