Kim pressed the intercom button and waited for the familiar voice to answer.

             “Hello?”

             “It’s me, Mom,” she said.

            “Come on in, dear.” The entry door buzzed, and Kim made her way down the hall to her mother’s home in the 55+ community apartment building. The door opened before Kim knocked. “I’m so glad to see you,” Carol said.

            “Happy Mother’s Day.” Kim walked into her mother’s arms and her spirits immediately lifted as her mother hugged her close. Her perfume never ceased to bring back memories of childhood.

            “What’s the mysterious day you have planned for us?” Carol asked.

            “It’s not mysterious,” Kim said. “I just thought it would be nice to surprise you.” She followed her mother into the apartment and handed her an envelope.        

            Carol moved to her favorite recliner and pulled a letter opener from the end table. She tucked the opener into the end of the envelope and delicately sliced it open. Kim watched her face as she read the card.

            “Oh, a play followed by a special dinner.” She laid the card in her lap. “That sounds lovely, dear. Thank you.”

            “I got tickets to a play in the city that’s gotten wonderful reviews. And yes, afterwards, I have reservations at a nice restaurant near the theater. I want it to be a perfect day for you.”

            “But you’re a mother too,” Carol protested. “What about your Mother’s Day?”

            “Ryan has his last final tomorrow. Dan will pick him up and we’ll celebrate having him home for the summer afterwards. He called me this morning.” She brushed a stray hair from her forehead. “Besides, seeing a play and going out to dinner with you sounds like a good Mother’s Day for me, too. At least this way I don’t have to cook.”

            “Let me use the rest room and get a sweater, and I’ll be ready to go,” Carol said.

            The pair got halfway to the theater when the car shuddered. The engine cut out and Kim pulled off to the shoulder. “What on earth?” Kim tried to restart the car, but the engine wouldn’t cooperate. She banged her palm on the steering wheel. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m going to have to call for a tow truck.”

            Carol pointed out the window. “Maybe they can help.”

            Kim followed her mother’s gaze. “Al’s Auto Repair. Well, that would be nice, but it’s Sunday. I can’t imagine they’re open. She turned on the hazard lights and pulled out her phone to call for a tow truck. Before she even finished dialing, a tap on the window made her jump.

            “Can you ladies use a hand?”

            Kim, wary of the stranger, shook her head. “No, we’re fine, thanks.”

            Carol, on the other hand, always thought the best of everyone. “The car won’t start. Do you know anything about cars?”

            The man threw back his head and let out a belly laugh. “Do I know anything about cars?” He reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet, and handed Kim a business card. “Al Martin, owner and operator of Al’s Auto Repair, at your service.”
            Carol clapped her hands together. “How wonderful. See, Kim, God is watching out for us.”

            “Then why didn’t He stop the car from breaking down?” Kim asked under her breath.

            “If you can shift the car into neutral, I should be able to push it into the parking lot,” Al instructed.

            Kim did as he asked, and twenty minutes later, she and Carol sat on a bench in a little park across the street from the garage. As Al gave up his Sunday afternoon trying to breathe life back into the engine, Kim and Carol sat by the lake watching the ducks catch fish and keep their young ones in line. Their conversation ranged from the stories from Carol’s bridge group to the difficulty Kim was having dealing with her son living away from home for the first time.

            Al called periodically with updates. “I know what the problem is. I should be able to fix it within the hour.” Then later, “There’s another complicating issue.” By the third call, when Al told the ladies he needed to run to the auto parts store because he was out of a certain part, Kim slouched back against the bench.
            “We’re not going to make it to the show at all at this point,” she said.

            Carol patted her leg. “That’s ok, dear. There will be other shows. How are things going at work?”
            Mother and daughter strolled around the park talking and laughing as the birds sang and the sun shone. As the afternoon wore on, Carol turned to her daughter. “How about some take out? We can eat it here by the lake. There’s a fast-food place just up the street.”
            “But I was going to take you out to a fancy dinner,” Kim protested.

            “Sometimes fancy is overrated. I’d love a burger and fries.” Her mom grinned, and Kim couldn’t help grinning back. They settled themselves at a picnic table under a tree and enjoyed their guilty pleasures. Not long after they finished, Kim’s phone rang for a fourth time. Al was finished.

            After paying the bill and thanking Al for spending his day off helping them, Kim and Carol headed back to Carol’s place.

            “Mom, I’m so sorry the day was ruined. We didn’t get to do anything I had planned.”
            Carol turned to Kim, her eyes moist. “I spent the entire day with my daughter laughing and chatting. It was a perfect Mother’s Day. Thank you.”

Proverbs 23: 22-25

 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice;  may she who gave you birth be joyful!

God, thank You for the gift of mothers, and thank You for showing us a portion of what Your love is like in the love of a mother for her children.  Help us remember, that like mothers, You, too, Lord, only want to spend time with Your children. In Jesus’ name, Amen.