A newly released study revealed, said the TV reporter, that people lose their inhibitions as they age. With enthusiasm, I crowed, “Oh, good! That means by the time I’m 80 I’ll be totally out of control.” My kids moaned. To their then teenage eyes, I was already there.

Now, mind you, I’m a Bible-reading, church-going, don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t lie kind of gal. In today’s society, I may be the next best thing to a saint. But a non-conforming saint.

For one small instance, I open all gifts as soon as they arrive. The point of a gift, after all, is to bring enjoyment, so I enjoy early. Hoping, I think, to instill a little discipline in old Mom, the kids tried to time their gifts for just-in-time arrival, which is hard to do via the Post Office.

This Mother’s Day, though, they seem to have decided to let Mom be Mom, no timing involved. Now there’s a great Mother’s Day gift.