Mom almost ALWAYS did things her way.

Here’s a song that reminds me of you, Mom.

Artist: Frank Sinatra
Title: “My Way”

Growing up as the youngest child in a family with four kids was great. Having a thirteen year difference between me and my next oldest sibling made it even greater. Why? Because I had the joy of having Mom and Dad almost entirely to myself. From the age of five onward I was pretty much an only child but with three other sets of “parents.” It was incredible.

Having a father that was very active in the community due to his involvement on the City Council I ended up spending the majority of my days in the company of our family’s true gem – my Mom.

Born and raised in Tennessee but brought to the Midwest after she married my father, this beautiful southern belle has maintained her happy-go-lucky disposition for over seventy years. When asked to provide a real life definition of “soul mates” I do not have to go any further than my own parents as Mom’s ever-present smile, still around even after Dad passed away, beams as brightly as it ever has. I guess being loved that much by someone that was absolutely perfect for you will just do that to a person.

While the rest of the world enjoyed the company of both my parents, I had a front row seat to it all for 32 years. Mom did her best to teach me right from wrong and did it with aplomb. I knew never to second guess her logic and reasoning while growing up as her word (and Dad’s word) was the law. She sure let me know at times…in song.

“My Way” – Frank Sinatra ( iTunes )

I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times that I heard my Mom belt out the chorus of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”…whew. In a rare break from my typical angelic behavior (if you buy that line you’re my pal for life) I’d be up to no good and would incur the wrath of Mom. If I dared to argue my case – even when I knew I was in the wrong – my pleas would fall upon deaf ears. Mom would wait out my speech and then say “You’re going to do what your Mama says. You’ll do it myyyyyyyyyy waaaaaaaaaaaaay.”

I grew to hate that song. It was warbled almost every time I’d get into an argument with her. Sometimes Mom would accent it with a clap of her hands at the end to make sure I knew she meant business. “Myyyyyyyyyyyy waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.” Sheesh.

Mom would wait out my speech and then say “You’re going to do what your Mama says. You’ll do it myyyyyy waaaaaaaay.”

As I grew older and began to understand why Mom had worked so hard to keep me on the straight and narrow path I began to truly appreciate, admire and respect her methods. She was strict but not overbearing. I still had plenty of room in which to become a young man while under her authority. My actions growing up, for the most part, made both Mom and Dad proud to call me their son. Their child rearing style is still absolutely amazing in my eyes. How they could be so serious and yet pepper the life lessons they taught me with comedy (perhaps it’s what kept them both sane) is beyond me…but here I am decades later remembering them as if they were handed down from Mt. Sinai yesterday.

Sinatra’s “My Way” has since become one of my favorite tunes by the man. It’s powerful. It’s confident. It’s somewhat snobbish. And yet, even though the world over knows it’s one of Sinatra’s signature tunes, I don’t see it as his…

In my eyes it’s entirely and emphatically owned by my Mom.

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.

I’ve lived a life thats full.
I’ve traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say – not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!