This is a story about white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, football, the Browns and Mother’s Day, but not necessarily in that order.

 

I know. You’re saying, “What? Huh? What in the world are you talking about?”

 

OK, here’s the explanation. And we’re going to make this fast as we can, because you’ve got a lot to do – a whole lot to do, trust me on this one – today.

 

Bear with me on this. I will connect the dots. It will make sense. I promise.

 

I love white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, sometimes too much for my own good. The people who prepare the food for the media on Browns game days at FirstEnergy Stadium make fantastic – FANTASTIC! – white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. They are to die for. And I think I almost have a couple of times.

 

One of those times was at a game several years ago. I had one white chocolate macadamia nut cookie, then another, and another, and another, and another, and another, and another …

 

Really.

 

I lost count – be patient with me on this math stuff, because I’m just a public-school kid – but it was a lot, many more than I should have had. But I couldn’t help it. They tasted so good.

 

Eventually, I determined I had eaten more than my fill. I was full – and then some.

 

At that point, the most amazing thing happened. Not only did I not want another white chocolate macadamia nut cookie, but I couldn’t even look at the remaining ones setting there in the tray, mocking me. In fact, I couldn’t even think of the name “white chocolate macadamia nut cookie.”

 

I didn’t think that would ever be possible. But it is, and I experienced it that day.

 

Fortunately, I have recovered. I like white chocolate macadamia nut cookies again, but I do so with limits – strict ones.

 

The moral of this story? That sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. That sometimes you need to take a break from the things you like best. It makes you appreciate them just that much more.

 

That’s my story. Now for you guys.

 

With the fact you’re on this site reading this, something for which we greatly appreciate, you love football. And you love the Browns. You get mad at the Browns when they mess up, which has happened a lot in the expansion era, but you still love ’em and are a fan.

 

Today, though, check that love of football and the Browns at the door. Hang them up. They are you, and this day – Mother’s Day — is not about you.

 

It’s about your mom, your wife, your grandma or another lady.

 

It’s not about football, the Browns or anything else like that.

 

Yeah, you certainly want to catch the Cavaliers’ series-clinching win at Atlanta today, and the Indians game against Kansas City. But there’s nothing about the Browns today that should compel to you to spend just one second, let alone a minute, thinking about them. They don’t play a game that counts for another four months, and they don’t practice again until next weekend when they hold their rookie minicamp.

 

Which, by the way, was moved back a week to accommodate Mother’s Day.

 

Yes, there is something bigger than the NFL. Her name is Mom, and even the league bows to her.

 

And so should you.

 

Give that special lady a big hug and a kiss, treat her like a queen and completely devote yourself to her today. Step away from what you like. It’s good for you, and for others as well.

 

We’ll see you again tomorrow.

 

But not until then.