Mamá Day

Scene: Five years ago, March. I call my father up and wish him a happy Father's Day. The fact that I've lived my entire life in the United States and that Father's Day has never before been in March does not deter me. It is in March in Spain, it must be the same everywhere. My father, God bless him, receives his Strange Father's Day love without blinking. "Thanks," he says. I found out about a week later that it wasn't Father's Day. And not through my parents. What could he possibly have been thinking as he accepted that tremendously early holiday wish?

Fast-forward to now. This time I am prepared for Spain's holiday trickery and I know that Mother's Day is in May. There can be no mistake. Cathy and I talk it through. I make the necessary arrangements so that my Mother can get her gifts from me. Of course, of course, OF COURSE Mother's Day is ONE FULL WEEK later in the States. It's not this Sunday, May 1st. WHASSUP WITH THAT SPAIN.

Luckily I made an even bigger mistake than that; one which has cancelled the first one out dramatically. Unfortunately, more will have to be explained next week when I don't risk ruining what little surprise I have left. Suspense!