I take commercials too seriously.

[unknownfate]

The Mother's Day one for Kingsford is getting on my nerves. I know they're trying to get the grilling season started as soon as possible, but still. Portraying Mother's Day as an annoyance to her husband and son is irritating. "We don't want to do something nice for your mother," the father implies. "But we have to, because the calendar said so."

Like it's every girl's dream to get all dressed up and ride in traffic with her whiny kid and resentful husband to eat food she may not even want. Did Dad even ask Mom what she wanted on her special day? Do you think she actually said "Wear your most uncomfortable clothes and spend too much to watch me eat food I know you don't like, in a crowded, noisy place, that will probably be even noisier while you and our offspring complain about every moment of what is supposed to be my day."? Because I bet she didn't.

Instead, how about a box of really good doughnuts and her favorite coffee and drive out to a scenic overlook to eat them? Or a park so the kid can play while you sit and eat and enjoy the day.

Maybe forget the brunch, take her for a drive. Leave roses at the important places, where you first met, where you first kissed, the church where you were married, the hospital your kid was born at? Tell the kid the story of your life and love that brought him into being. Make sure there's a rose left for her to keep and then take her to a real meal at wherever your first date was.

And, ok, yes, make her something she likes on your grill and serve it to her where she's comfortable and happy.

Because I'm betting if she overhears this conversation about what a pain it is to take her out, and what a hassle it is to appreciate her, she's not going to feel loved or special, which is really the point of the holiday in the first place.


When I have real problems, sometimes I focus on trivial matters instead. And sometimes, the same commercial will be played so often that I take offense. (I don't like the Wendy's Tuscany chicken one either.) Just another reason to shut the cable off for the summer.