By Les Ferguson, Jr.

Columnist

This past Sunday was my birthday. You can hold the applause and catcalls. I would tell you how old I am, but she-who-must-be-obeyed has threatened me within an inch of my life if I do so. 

According to her, most folks are smarter than the average bear and can do the math to determine her age. 

I don’t understand her fears. As far as the kids and I know, she has been thirty-nine all our married life. At any rate, to use a bit of deception, I just celebrated the twenty-third anniversary of my thirty-ninth birthday. You shouldn’t need an algebra teacher to figure it out, but if you do, it’s okay. I am easily confused myself. 

You’ve probably heard of Cinco De Mayo. I prefer to think that scads of people throughout our land are celebrating Cinco De Leso. 

As in me. My birthday. 

My momma loved me and probably would have agreed with my rai·son d’ê·tre, but you and I know I am being silly. And while Cinco De Leso has a certain ring to it, the world does not revolve around me. 

Indeed, before this week draws to a close, one of my boys and a sister will celebrate a birthday. Then next week starts off with Mother’s Day and another son’s birthday the very next day. 

Like I said, the world doesn’t revolve around me. And, to keep me honest, sometime toward the end of May, we’ll start getting not-so-subtle reminders of another son’s birthday at the end of August. He likes to keep us on our toes. 

But birthdays aside, as you read this, Mother’s Day is just a few days away. Maybe it’s your mother you need to celebrate. Perhaps it’s the mother of your children. And maybe your situation doesn’t lead to much joy where Mother’s Day or motherhood is concerned. 

This is my first Mother’s Day without my mom. I miss her. I always will. But absent or not, good or bad, painful or complex, we all have something to be thankful for. 

My go-to verse in situations like these is Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.”

Count your blessings. Trust in God. I’m thankful for each of you!