the piggly wiggly with my mama

I'm from a rural farming county.
And a one red light town.

So it's pretty common that when you go to the only grocery store in town, you may end up being there for more than a minute because you are bound to run into folks you've grown up with and folks you've known you're whole life: your fourth grade teacher, old high school friends bagging groceries, Mrs. Jackie from The Methodist Church, Weasel from up the dirt road and Burl from Buddy's.

And they all deserve a hug and a chance to catch up, of course.

But it's a different experience when you go to the Piggly Wiggly with my mama.

Because when you go to the Piggly Wiggly with my mama she is greeted with at least half a dozen "Hey Ms. Janie!" 's and sometimes as many hugs.

And we're talking no less than half a dozen.

And this can come from a one aisle trip for potatoes or a basket full of something for supper. And these "Hey Ms. Janie!" 's come from folks of every single age, gender, social status and color.

And you know why?

Cause everybody loves Ms. Janie.

See, my mama stayed at home with we four kids until the youngest was school age and then started working at the High School and Middle School (only one of each for the whole county & they were on the same campus). She worked 18 years in the school system and longer than she had to. But she loved what she did and she loved the kids.

And here's the thing.
Ms. Janie treated everybody equally, she had a smile waiting for everyone and she was infamous for her trademark end of day intercom annoucements! But most of all, the kids that needed a little more attention and the hugs they didn't get at home....she hugged and loved most of all.

She bought football cleats and school lunches. Prom picture packages and class rings. Cap & gown sets and SAT fees. She drove to visit colleges and away wrestling matches.

But not for her own four kids.
For kids that couldn't. And parent's that wouldn't.
And no one ever knew.

She's changed many kids' lives. And she's saved many kids' lives.
And those "Hey Ms. Janie!" 's and wide open arms with great big smiles at the end, don't always come from the kids. Sometimes they come from the parents, who are appreciative and acknowledge her graciousness every chance they get.

So mama,
I'd do anything to be at the Piggly Wiggly with you today
walking to meat freezer in the back
searching for our perfect bucket of chicken livers.
Watching you with your big ole smile,
taking in every "Hey Ms. Janie!" and the hugs and conversations that come with them,
to some folks I know, some folks I don't and many older then me.
But all folks
who
love Ms. Janie
because
at some point you felt like a mom to them, too.

And holdin' tight to that buggy,
I'd smile real big
and be proud and happy
to call you my mom
and to share you with them.