Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Brian Greenspun pays a belated Mother’s Day tribute to his unforgettable mother-in-law

So, let me tell you about my mother-in-law ...

I realize that sounds like the start of some very funny jokes, but what I am about to tell you is no laughing matter. I made a big mistake on Mother's Day. So big, in fact, that I have my mother-in-law on my case and I need help.

Let me explain. For many years, my father used to write his Where I Stand column about all manner of things - some good, some bad and some things so outrageous that people just shook their heads in disbelief and an added measure of awe.

But, consistently, some of his best columns were about his family and holiday celebrations. He wrote in a way to not only get himself out of hot water but also to alert the forgetful in town to spring into action. Whether it was Valentine's Day, an anniversary or a birthday, there was always a message to the unsuspecting and unknowing that someone - usually their better halves - had expectations that needed to be met.

Nowhere did he make it more clear than in his Mother's Day columns in which he made an effort to single out his mother and mother-in-law and, of course, the mother of his children. He did it in a way that would also apply to all the mothers of Las Vegas, an effort that did not go unappreciated amid the growing crowd of husbands and sons who, in the words of the young people today, often spaced out when it came to such matters.

There are a number of writing traditions that my father started that I have tried to continue, knowing full well that I lack his writing talent and his incredible sense of timing. Nevertheless, I have tried. And that means that practically every Mother's Day since my father passed away, I have attempted to write a Mother's Day column of some note, making sure the prerequisites are handled - mother, mother-in-law and mother of my child - and then sharing the message with other sons and husbands so they may be similarly inoculated.

Until this past week, that is.

Last Sunday, I had the dedication of the Jerome D. Mack Middle School on my mind. So while I was researching some columns my father had written on the subject, it struck me that the similarities between the Nate Mack School and his son, Jerry's, were too much to ignore. So I focused on the Mack legacy to education in our community - didn't even mention the Thomas & Mack - and then made some sweeping Mother's Day comment just so I didn't totally ignore the day.

Oops! Big mistake.

The first thing my wonderful, fabulous, beautiful, caring, adorable, smart, sensitive and well-meaning mother-in-law said when she got into my car at the airport last Sunday was, "Where's your column about me?"

I almost ran off the road. Instead, I played dumb. "What do you mean?"

"I came up here with my friends and I told them to go out and buy the newspaper so they could read what my darling son-in-law wrote about me for Mother's Day, so I want to know what you wrote," she explained.

I explained, as best I could, about the Jerry Mack thing, and families, and kids and education and whatever else I could think about to keep talking. Once I gave her back the floor I knew I was in trouble. Eventually I ran out of words.

Her turn. "What's the matter, don't you love me? Every year you write about your mother and me and the one time I tell my friends to buy the paper you neglect me?"

To be fair, my mother-in-law, Rachel, loves me to bits. Why shouldn't she? I took her daughter off her hands far too many years ago and provided her with the best granddaughter a grandparent could ever ask for. She can never really get mad at me and she wasn't this time. I think.

Even though I couldn't see her in the rear view mirror, I knew she was just playing with me. At least I continue to hope that she was kidding. Amy's grandma is not a person on whose bad side you want to be.

All I could think about was Rachel's friends who shelled out whatever the Review-Journal is charging these days just to get the Las Vegas Sun and, more specifically, to get the Where I Stand column about Rachel. And how disappointed they would be.

Well, never fear. The Las Vegas Sun is a daily newspaper and, as long as my name is on the masthead, I can write whenever I want.

So, my dear, loving, kind, understanding and beautiful Rachel, this column is all about you and how you have been the most wonderful mother-in-law a fellow could ever want or hope for in his life.

So, Happy Mother's Day, Rachel.

P.S. Lest I compound my mistake, Happy Mother's Day to Mom, Myra and all the fabulous mothers of Las Vegas.

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