"Missing in Action!"

There was an invasion of socks! At least that's theget dirty. After all, that was part of being a boy.
way it seemed each week after doing the laundry. AsSo here we are having some of that bonding time,
we all sat in the living room folding clothes the chatterwhen my miss "priss" wife, mother of four sons, asks
that usually takes place in a family with four youngme if I noticed that my underwear came up short this
boys was in session. Replays of the latest soccerweek? I had to stop and think for a moment, and
match, which surely came to mind because of therealized that in fact, they did seem to disappear faster
multitude of socks four boys involved in sports can gothan usual.
through in a week, were under discussion as theReplying that I hadn't noticed until now it also occurred
various "strawberries, bruises and pains were pointedto ask why. The reply, "I wore them!" stopped us all in
out with the appropriate sacrifice made for the team.the middle of what we were thinking or saying. The
Barbara, brought up in the Latin culture and old schoolabsolute "joy" on their mothers face of achieving the
ways where books were balanced on heads forperfect ambush of surprise was complete! The
posture and grace, would seem like the last person toshocked expressions and replies, "Mom, no way," and
have four rough and tumble boys to love and nurture."Gross!" were just a few of the surprised
When they were babies it was with great pains sheexclamations from the four boys. It was one of those
would let them play in the dirt with their toys. Theymoments for eternity, that will always come up as
were supposed to sit like so many toys on a shelf untilmemories are revisited. All I could think of was, this is a
removed. Dad, raised in the American culture wouldReaders Digest moment, as I laughed until the tears
have none of that. They were boys and supposed tocame.