May 8, 2008 - Can't Stand The Rain

The weather forecast for the NASCAR Dodge Challenger 500 in Darlington, S.C., Saturday night is 86 degrees with isolated thunderstorms and a 30 percent chance of precipitation. You may be wondering why I would care enough about the weather forecast to bother wasting my time writing a blog about it, but it matters, believe me!

For a NASCAR wife rainouts are usually nothing more than a minor inconvenience and a free pass for us to whine, complain and fuss at our husbands for a situation that they have no control over. However, there is one race a year where a rainout can cause major damage in every racing household, whether you are a crew member, driver, owner or just a ticket holder.  That one major event is the Saturday night NASCAR Darlington race the night before Mother’s Day.

Yes, we realize that our husbands are going to be gone a lot during the year going into the marriage, and that there will be rainouts and extra testing days that will keep them away on their scheduled days off. So, we adjust, live our own lives and pretty much keep ourselves occupied and happy with work, friends and other family.  However, Mother’s Day is the one day that we just can’t accept an unscheduled NASCAR race with a smile and open arms.

Honestly, mothers really don’t even need gifts, cards, or flowers. We just want someone home who will take us out, or cook, lunch and dinner for the kids and us. A husband at home on a Sunday that can make beds, prepare breakfast and keep the children quiet for an extra hour of sleep for their mother is the most precious gift that anyone can receive on Mother’s Day. Don’t tell Hallmark (or my husband) I told you that!

Last year, the dream of a quiet peaceful Mother’s Day was squashed like a bug as rain kept the teams in Darlington for an extra day of racing and caused thousands of families to cancel their plans, back up and punt. I am in no way blaming NASCAR, as I know they did what they needed to do by rescheduling the race for the hallowed holiday, and I am not blaming my husband – well, not anymore anyway. I am not even going to blame Mother Nature for having a bad day. I am just saying that I will constantly be checking the weather forecast several times a day between now and Saturday night.

Happy Mother’s Day to all, especially you, Mother Nature!