mama, Jesus, and weed

'Mama, Jesus and Weed' - by T’Louise

I was thinking back a few days ago when Mama introduced me and my sisters to weed on her quest to find Jesus.

 "I MOST CERTAINLY DID NOT," Mama would be yelling right now if she were in front of me. "YOU BETTER NOT WRITE THAT SH*%# DOWN! DO YOU HEAR ME… T'LOUISE?"

 Yep, she'd be having what's referred to as a genuine hissy-fit, waving her finger up in my face.

 But since she happens to be miles away at the moment…I can't help but smile.

 After all, I am my Mama's daughter…

 For many years I thought this was one of those dreams that kept resurfacing. It's not like I had never asked Mama if she had taken us to a hippie church before. She always told me she had no clue what I was talking about. Nope, she didn't remember anything of that nature ever happening. So, I'd leave it alone and blame it on my often-overactive imagination.

 It wasn't until the third time I asked her about it that I noticed she hurried and changed the subject. When someone does that, it's a sure sign that something's up.

 "Mama, look at me. Do you remember that little hippie church?" I asked.

 This time it was different; she was sitting in the corner of the couch and acting like she didn't hear a thing. When she didn't look up, I realized she was trying her best to keep from laughing.

 "What the hell," I said. "It's true, and it really happened, didn't it?"

 Mama could no longer ignore the questions. Yeah…she knew, I knew…she was caught.

 Honestly, I always thought that sh*%# was in my head. Oh, sweet Jesus, the relief I felt washed over me, knowing I hadn't fallen off the deep end of crazy. I was still in the wading pool, and that's something I could live with.

 Mama slowly gathered herself together, paused, and then glanced at me. I could tell she was searching for a short line of defense, but it was too late. She was caught.

 "Honey, I kinda remember something about that little church," she said, still avoiding eye contact. "But for the life of me…everything is just a little bit fuzzy."

 "Oh, I bet it is a little fuzzy, Mama. I bet it is."

TO BE CONTINUED