Bad moms give us something to be thankful for this Mother’s Day

There is not much to not like about George Washington.

The accomplished general and first president, though flawed as all humans are, is regarded the world over for his feats on the battlefield and his actions as a statesman. Historians continue to study the writings and actions of this celebrated figure in American history to learn just what made him think and act the way that he did.   

But there is one notable person who did not think George was all that great – his mama.

Yes, Mary Ball Washington is well documented as an overbearing, ever-complaining and non-approving parent. George could never do anything right in her eyes, and she would openly deride and vilify her son to anyone who would listen.

It’s generally bad practice to disrespect someone in command of an army, but George must have had thick skin or really loved his dear old mother. I feel sorry for his dad, because if winning a war and helping found a nation couldn’t impress the woman, I don’t know what would.

Coincidentally, there’s another famous American, one that perhaps shouldn’t be remembered as fondly, who made his mother extremely proud.

Zerelda Elizabeth Cole James Simms Samuel (say that three times fast) was the doting mother of famous outlaws Frank and Jesse James. Zerelda was not a shining member of society herself and fully condoned her sons’ lawless ways. She would provide haven for the fugitives in between their escapades, and that would later cost her a limb.

During a raid on the family homestead by the Pinkerton Detective Agency, an explosive device claimed her right arm and, more tragically, the life of the James’ baby stepbrother.

After Jesse was dead and Frank was on trail, Zerelda decided to capitalize on the craze created by her offspring – as any grieving mother would. She gave tours of the family home, for a nominal fee of course, and provided sordid details of the raid that damaged her body and killed her child and gave details about the James boys that the newspapers and dime novels couldn’t provide.

It is stories like these that make you appreciate mothers that try to do right by their offspring.

I certainly don’t have anything to complain about in the parent department. In fact, I’ve been surrounded by good mothers my whole life, from my own mother and grandmothers to the moms of friends who treat me like their own. While I don’t, or will ever, have accomplishments that compare to George Washington’s, but I’ve also avoided the ire of the law. That should make any mother proud.

This Mother’s Day it’s expected that folks in the United States will spend more than $40 billion trying to show their mothers how much they appreciate them, or at least going through the motions. Surely there are more Mary Ball Washingtons and Zerelda Samuels around.  

If you’re fortunate enough to still have a mom around, pay her a visit or give her a call.

Happy Mother’s Day.