Mother’s Day fell during a very hectic time for my son Vinne and his wife Danni. Still, in the midst of moving from Chile to a new home they had purchased down the road from new jobs they were starting, they called.
“I’m really sorry I didn’t get you anything for Mother’s Day,” Vinnie said.
Like most mothers I know, I don’t require gifts from my offspring. Phone calls are enough to make special days even better. In this case, though, I had a different response.
“You did get me a gift!” I said. “You gave me a really cool jean jacket.”
Confused at first, he eventually figured out that he had left his jean jacket at our cabin and I had helped myself to it.
“I’m just kidding,” I said (even though I was wearing the jacket as I said those words). “I’ll give it back…eventually.”
Listen, it isn’t often that the perfect jean jacket lands in your lap right as you’re heading into a Wisconsin spring. I have been wearing that jacket everywhere.
And, for those of you thinking it’s not very maternal to steal your son’s clothes, consider this: Vinnie used to wear my clothes all the time when he was in high school.
He wore my pink pajamas and Marquette sweatshirt to school for spirit week. I happened to be the yearbook advisor during that time and, on another occasion I spotted him as I scrolled through the week’s photos.
“Vinnie!” I yelled. “Did you wear my dress to school?”
“Yeah, was that okay?” he asked.
(I don’t remember the occasion but I think he was dressed as an old woman. How rude. Also, we’re not exactly the same size. Close enough to be a little embarrasing for both of us, but not exactly the same.)
I told him going forward he needed to clear it with me BEFORE he wore my stuff to school.
So, if you ask me, he set the precedent a long time ago.
Yesterday, my mom and I visited Vinnie and Danni in their new, very cool home. I asked him if they’d like me to bring them anything from Appleton. Chocolate from Wilmar’s? A treat from Simple Simon or Whisk and Arrow? Cheese?
He asked for his jean jacket.
Rats.
