Mother's Day 2013

Mother's Day. A day filled with emotion, no matter which way the day cuts for you, personally. I know a few who would prefer to see this day slip by without mention, akin to single folk on Valentine's. Too much loss, too many memories and many of them not good. For others, it's a festival of love and appreciation, for both the generation above and below: Moms rock!

To all my friends, loved ones and readers who are missing a mother or feeling empty-nestish today: I'm sorry. I hope your memories of your mother give you a smile, even in the missing. And I hope your kids call or visit, too. To all my friends, loved ones and readers for whom motherhood is a role carved out in non-traditional ways: Bless you. The world is better for your mothering skills, put to use in creative and thoughtful ways.

And to those of you with a brood of loving, noisy, annoying and energetic children around, and all you want is just a half-hour of peace and quiet (or maybe even just to get to go to the toilet alone): Enjoy your day! Peace and quiet will come later--like, midnight!?--or when the last one leaves for college!

I count myself blessed to know so many wonderful mothers, and to have my own still healthy and present, as well. I am confident she'll forgive me for posting the picture above (circa 1987) of us in our matching dresses. I am also thankful to my mother-in-law for giving husband many of his great husbanding skills. Mothering isn't easy, but it sure is worthwhile work. I have blogged about Mother's Day in the past, and find, as I reread the post, even years later, I can't say it any better. I adore the boy I am blessed to call son, and I learn so much, every day, from being his mother.

In wanting to add to the Mother's Day mix this year, of course, I thought it appropriate to share this video from Google, showing the sweeter side of motherhood.



As well, this SNL video about moms on Facebook also made me smile. Seth watched that over my shoulder this morning, and had a little laugh.

And this rundown of mom texting fails is pretty good too; though, it's missing the well-known texting moment where mom tells her kid that his uncle has died, LOL. Kid texts back: Do you know what LOL means? Mom: Yes, lots of love. That one always makes me smile, no matter how many times I see it.

On my list of wishes for Mother's Day? A hug, a little time together, some conversation while we putter around doing bits of yardwork, and another hug. Can't ever get too many hugs.

Looking forward to my wishes coming true today, hope yours do too!

Happy Mother's Day!

This is a repost from 2010. This morning, as I pondered what to post about this special day, I read through the words below and realized it still holds some of my favorite musings about what being a mother means to me. 

As I write this, Seth is downstairs making me coffee (he just learned the ins and outs of the espresso machine yesterday, so between that and learning to drive, he's on a roll!). We're going to spend the day in the yard--more or less; the sunshine is glorious, and I imagine that any meal I dream up later today, Seth and husband will make a reality (within bounds, of course. If you can call and order it, I can have it!). I talked to my own mom yesterday, but I bet skype will be buzzin' a bit later today as well... My grandma called late last week--to tell me a couple of funny stories and reassure me that June is okay for a visit (we had been planning on going up this weekend, but work/life/school...).

 Life is so good. 

My mother and my son

here are certain things in life that you don't understand until "later": What love really means, what core values to actually base key decisions on, how to whip up a dinner from what looks like an empty refrigerator, how many times you can squeeze the tube of toothpaste after the last remnants appear to be gone, and why a good night's sleep doesn't come in a bottle. To name a few.

When "later" arrives is different for each of us, but for me, much of my "later" understanding has been revealed through being a mother. Being a mother is a daily seat at the table of learning about myself (and others). From mundane conversation about everything from homework to friends to girls to "consequences;" discussing how different individuals and households operate and function; ever-present politics and the variety of opinions that abound; the beauty of spirituality and life choices that stem from a belief system; there is never a lack of opportunity for learning and growth, for both of us.

For me, Mother's Day is a celebration of my mother as well as a celebration of my own mothering. Which is not to say it's an ego-fest; rather, it is a truly delightful day when I am able to relish one of my very favorite roles here on earth, and that is being the mother of an amazing and loving child. My mothering, though, would be quite different (and lacking), I know, without the influence of my own mother, who has taught me many things, including (but certainly not limited to) the true meaning of kindness, forgiveness and unconditional love, as well as a hearty work ethic. She has also passed on many other qualities of worth, including an appreciation for the art of a home-cooked meal and the comfort a thoughtfully appointed home can provide at the end of a long day. The list goes on, I assure you.

In the best of senses, I'm the filling in a great Mother's Day sandwich--happily between my son and my mother. I am blessed beyond what I deserve to have my mother alive and well, and my son also thriving and flourishing. I know in this world that those two simple things are often taken for granted; today, and every day, I give thanks for the gift of motherhood.

Happy Mother's Day

t's Mother's Day, a day to reflect on mothers and mom-like people in our lives.

I don't know what I'm looking at, but Grandma, Ma and Seth all look good... I love the four generations, all together.

I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me.

They have clung to me all my life. -Abraham Lincoln

Such a happy memory this is for me, the boy baking up something alongside. He was most interested in the feel of the flour, I think, not so much what we were baking...

Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds.
Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins,
but only one mother in the whole world. -Kate Wiggins

I am very blessed to still get kisses. Blessed indeed.

A mother’s happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past
in the guise of fond memories. -Honoré de Balzac

I have also been very blessed to have a loving and supportive mother, from day one. Thank you for your example, Ma. I have learned a lot from you over the years. A lot.

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people,
promptly announces she never did care for pie. -Tenneva Jordan

That last quote IS my mother. I saw that happen more than once during my childhood. Or, the pie gets cut, one piece looks like a pile of filling and crust--that's the one the hostess takes, my mother always taught me.

And to the boy who made me a mother, my thanks to you, always. Being a mom has pushed me to be a better person, and I thank God every day for giving me you. He knew exactly what I would need in a child, and voila! Here you are. A mom couldn't ask for a better son.

I have a lot of friends who are moms, for sure, and every day I am amazed by all these mothers do. It's a crazy rat race of car pools and appointments and volunteering and work and school activities and sports (you know who you are!) and yet each of you manages to keep on top of it in a way that amazes me, over here, with my singleton. I learn from all of you, as well. (With all this learning, you'd think I'd have a few more things figured out, eh?!)

In my joyful haze of early morning coffee and apple fritter, brought to me by my men, I can't help but also be cognizant of those for whom Mother's Day is a sad one, either by the loss of a parent, a child, or the dream of a child. These Hallmarky days can really put an exclamation point on that pain, I know. Just know you're not alone. Almost everyone I know has a loss at one end or the other, or if they don't right now, they will soon enough. So kiss the ones you love and who love you, every day.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day ponderings

My mother and my son

here are certain things in life that you don't understand until "later": What love really means, what core values to actually base key decisions on, how to whip up a dinner from what looks like an empty refrigerator, how many times you can squeeze the tube of toothpaste after the last remnants appear to be gone, and why a good night's sleep doesn't come in a bottle. To name a few.

When "later" arrives is different for each of us, but for me, much of my "later" understanding has been revealed through being a mother. Being a mother is a daily seat at the table of learning about myself (and others). From mundane conversation about everything from homework to friends to girls to "consequences;" discussing how different individuals and households operate and function; ever-present politics and the variety of opinions that abound; the beauty of spirituality and life choices that stem from a belief system; there is never a lack of opportunity for learning and growth, for both of us.

For me, Mother's Day is a celebration of my mother as well as a celebration of my own mothering. Which is not to say it's an ego-fest; rather, it is a truly delightful day when I am able to relish one of my very favorite roles here on earth, and that is being the mother of an amazing and loving child. My mothering, though, would be quite different (and lacking), I know, without the influence of my own mother, who has taught me many things, including (but certainly not limited to) the true meaning of kindness, forgiveness and unconditional love, as well as a hearty work ethic. She has also passed on many other qualities of worth, including an appreciation for the art of a home-cooked meal and the comfort a thoughtfully appointed home can provide at the end of a long day. The list goes on, I assure you.

In the best of senses, I'm the filling in a great Mother's Day sandwich--happily between my son and my mother. I am blessed beyond what I deserve to have my mother alive and well, and my son also thriving and flourishing. I know in this world that those two simple things are often taken for granted; today, and every day, I give thanks for the gift of motherhood.