Mother's Day is Sunday, and it's not too late to think up the perfect gift.
Just what does Mother's Day have to do with a sports column? If you have to ask, you've never been to a local high school athletic event or seen some of the emails I receive.
Moms are the first to question my coverage and the first to thank me for a job well done. As one mom recently told me when graciously apologizing for a previous email, she was just being a mom — which I completely understand.
As a rule, moms are their sons and daughters’ biggest fans and supporters. Dads roll with the punches that are a part of sports, but moms want to know why something happened as they protect their young with a tenacity and love unfound anywhere else.
Of course, sometimes in their enthusiasm moms can show some of their, should I say, lack of sports knowledge.
My own mom, Joan Dickson, is a prime example.
I recall the spring of 1966, when I was playing my first year of organized baseball in a Memphis, Tenn., church league. I am, by birth, right-handed in everything I do except when it comes to swinging a baseball bat.
Mom didn't know I was a left-handed hitter. So that first game, as I took my place in the batter's box, she stands up and yells, "You're standing in the wrong place."
The coach turned to her and replied, "He bats left-handed."
Looking back on my baseball career, I might have been better to listen to Mom and take my place on the other side of the plate.
Moms take their kids to practice and pick them up when practice ends. Moms clean the scrapes and cuts and apply a gentle kiss before bandaging the skinned knee or elbow.
Many dads are their son's or daughter's sports hero, but almost every mom is that same son or daughter's guardian angel who heals the emotional and physical hurts of sports and life.
I know that from many years of watching and listening to moms.
And I was blessed to have such a mom in Joan Dickson, who at age 80 remains my biggest fan.
To all of you women who proudly carry the name Mom, Mother, Ma or Mama, and any other I left out, thanks for all you do.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Randy Dickson is the Crestview News Bulletin’s sports editor. Email him at randyd@crestviewbulletin.com, tweet him @BigRandle, or call 682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SIDELINE OBSERVATIONS: Here's to all the moms