| What could be better than flowers and a
| |
| | For my wife though, who loves the
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| brunch in your honor on Mother's Day?
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| | outdoors, almost anything we can do that
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| Children and spouses have been doing it
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| | involves hills, muddy shoes, and the
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| for many decades. Sending the flowers,
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| | complaints of small children asking "how
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| calling long distance (the biggest day
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| | much further?" is fine for her. No extra
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| for phone calls of the year) and booking
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| | expense, no flowers, just a bit of
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| over-priced brunches to celebrate mom or
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| | dedicated time sharing the outdoors with
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| spouse for all she does. And yet, somehow
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| | the family. We'll head to Crissy Field
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| it always rings a bit hollow, like we're
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| | and fly kites, or into the Marin
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| pre-programmed to do one or all three
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| | Headlands to walk along the cliffs, or
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| things on cue. We're like Pavlovian dogs
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| | into Golden Gate Park to walk the
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| hearing the "incoming message" bell to
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| | Labyrinth. There are hundreds of places
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| prod our actions. In an over-stressed,
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| | to go that will entertain the kids while
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| over-scheduled world, Mother's Day has
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| | satisfying her need to get some time
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| become a "to-do list" holiday. We order
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| | outdoors.
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| the flowers, pick up mom, eat, thank,
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| | We're not afraid to break out of the
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| kiss, drive home, and check it off the
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| | conventions of the traditional Mother's
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| list.
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| | Day. On the plus side, that means that
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| But it doesn't have to be that way. I'm
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| | not getting a reservation doesn't mean I
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| lucky enough to share my house and kids
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| | don't treasure her as a mom or partner.
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| with a woman who speaks her mind. She's
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| | Not buying flowers doesn't mean I forgot
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| never content with the status quo. She
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| | the simplest of symbols. I can literally
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| lets me know that a $9.99 bouquet of
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| | wait until right up to Mother's Day
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| Roses from the Safeway doesn't actually
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| | morning when we are setting the tray of
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| say much more than, "Yes, I was at the
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| | burnt toast and orange juice in front of
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| grocery store and thought of you while in
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| | her in bed to give her what she wants
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| the produce section." It's not that she's
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| | most, a little time with the family doing
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| ungrateful for little thoughts like that;
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| | something she particularly loves.
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| she doesn't even treat mom's day that
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| | My advice on Mom's day: forget the card
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| seriously, but like most women, she knows
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| | and the lines at restaurants. Do
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| when she's being put on.
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| | everything from scratch this year. Have
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| So, like many modern families, we spend
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| | the kids make their own cards and make
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| more prep time for Hallmark holidays
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| | breakfast at home, followed by something
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| thinking about what the honoree really
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| | mom likes to do, whether it's a museum,
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| would enjoy rather than what we are told
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| | flower show, ball game, or afternoon at
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| we should do. In some cases, this is a
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| | home in front of an old movie.
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| brunch in a fancy hotel at the top of
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| | And that goes for Dad's day as well. But
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| California Street where we can fritter
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| | remember, mom, if you're thinking of
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| away our children's education fund in an
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| | golf, you need to know one thing:
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| over-eating frenzy accompanied to the
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| | Mother's Day is the best day in the year
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| sound of a harp. My mom likes that, but
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| | to get any tee time you want, but just
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| she doesn't get to San Francisco that
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| | try to schedule a golf outing on Father's
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| often.
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| | Day.
|
