ELLEN, journalist and anti-athlete: What I want for Mother’s Day is a kick in the butt from my two teenage daughters. I want them to take me hostage on a walk in the wood trails near our house or kidnap me on a guest pass to their gym. I really don’t care what it is as long as they are with me, and we are moving.

I really need their youthful energy and keen sense that life holds promise. I don’t want to be lectured or scolded or given another gift certificate. I want bodily contact that involves them linking their arms in mine and hoisting me out to some fun activities that involve walking and laughing.

I love Barbara’s suggestion about gardening tools. I need my daughters to be my garden tools, kneeling next to me in the weed patch.

I recently lost my father and then, in a freak coincidence, was hospitalized for a couple of days just after his death. I’m a little low on energy and the best gift that only my two firecrackers of kids can give me is their presence in my life. Too few mothers get this kind of gift from their kids. But I do remember a high school buddy telling me about how her daughter, who was a devoted runner, went out and bought my school pal the right kind of athletic shoes and then taught her how to use a treadmill as they trained to do some running together. My acquaintance never got to run with her daughter. The young woman died suddenly, not long after that, of a rare affliction. I’m not waiting around for another chance with my two darlings.

Yo! Daughters! I changed your diapers. I mushed up all those bananas for you. I took you to the malls all those Saturdays. Now, it’s time to give some of that energy back. Read Heather’s and Barbara’s columns and get the lead out --- with me in tow! Posted May 07, 2003 01:05 AM