My mother
Mother’s Day is such a special day.
As a child, I always loved Mother’s Day. My two brothers, two sisters, and I would make some very special gifts for our mother. Our father never took us shopping to buy Mother’s Day gifts when we were young. Growing up in a small town on a big farm was much different than how our children live today and homemade gifts were the norm.
Brunch at a fancy restaurant? A big breakfast at our kitchen table was our “Mother’s Day Brunch” and it would have made the chefs at The Jefferson’s Lemaire envious! I’m sure the mess we left in the wake of creating that special meal was enough to make our mother cry – but she always acted as though she were being treated like royalty.
Mother’s Day was different for me growing up as a child than it is for most today.
It was all about coming up with an idea and making my mother something special. I’m sure the many cardboard jewelry boxes, construction paper artwork, dried macaroni picture frames, and a variety of “gifts” made from empty toilet paper rolls, odd buttons, bottle caps, and more were a bit of a nuisance to have around — but she always acted like they were better than diamonds and gold — and she kept them all!
After my mother passed away four years ago, we found many of these homemade ‘treasures’ in different places throughout the house. My mother and father lived in the same house their entire married lives, so the house is filled with valued memories. Even though we were able to start buying gifts for her as we got older and started making our own money, and could drive to the store, it seems that the gifts that stood out the most were those we made by hand.
Yep, that's me with the white bow in my hair trying to hide behind my brother! I love this pic with my grandma and grandpa.
Each year around Mother’s Day, I think about my mother and miss her more than ever. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you always feel like a child when you think about your mother. Mother’s Day is a very special day still, but it’s a hard day for many who have lost their mothers.
I was blessed to have my mother for many years and I will especially remember her this Mother’s Day. I’ll remember the wonderful times we had together and how comforting it was to simply have her arms wrapped around me. I’ll remember the sparkle in her eyes and the glowing smile on her face as she opened that cardboard jewelry box.
And I’ll remember how only she could make everything ‘okay’.
As you celebrate this Mother’s Day, be sure and let your mother know how much she means to you. Don’t miss a chance to shower her with love and hugs — and if you get a chance, make a cardboard jewelry box for her.
My first mother’s day was a lot of pressure on Scott. Pressure that went right to his brain and addled it.
The morning of Mother’s Day in May 2007, I woke up to nothing. Actually, I woke up to Scott rushing out of the house with baby E to get me a card.
I did not take it well.
But the card made me cry especially because Scott put a tiny E footprint on it.
Tiny feet!
We also went out to sushi, I never had to change a diaper, and I never had to buckle my son into the car seat. The latter was especially awesome because the car seat routinely tried to attack me.
I was happy with my Mother’s Day even with the rocky start until Scott got a call from the hospital. He grabbed a pen and something to write on.
I looked over a few minutes later and saw he had written the random name and number ON MY FIRST MOTHER’S DAY CARD.
My sentimental heart was broken. Scott cursed residency, and I cursed him. We had to whisper fight (because the BABY IS SLEEPING), and I harrumphed to bed.
I’m sure people might think: You should just be happy you have a baby to celebrate Mother’s Day.
And those people would be wrong. Because I had waited 28 years to be the center of attention 1 day. Perhaps more to the point, I’d wanted to be a mom more than anything else so celebrating my official mom-ness meant a lot. Oh and I’m a sentimental freak. At one point I had every letter and card that had ever been mailed to me (then hoarders went on TV and made me uncomfortable so they were recycled).
My first card for Mother’s Day was a TREASURE.
My husband acted swiftly and decisively.
He hurried back to the CVS that he’d stopped been at 12 hours ago and bought another card. He glued the identical card over his doctor notes, and quickly pasted the card into the baby book.
And that’s why I’m not the least bit worried about Mother’s Day 2012. Oh, and doing a review post on exactly what I want didn’t hurt either.
My Mom
My Mom…
Ignored the housework,
Had routine laundry mishaps,
Loved Impressionist paintings,
Designed her own clothes,
Grew organic vegetables long before anyone cared about “organic”,
Played the accordion to lull the dog to sleep,
Was a nervous driver,
Struggled with basic math,
Had me call her by her first name instead of “Mom”,
Once walked right into a sliding glass door,
Took me to Mel Brooks movies,
Read Isaac Asimov,
Made me talk to the house plants because it was good for them,
Had trouble figuring out small kitchen appliances,
Always fed me a large slice of cake before bedtime,
Could not think straight without coffee,
Refinished an old piano,
Sewed drapes,
Never quite got the joke but laughed really hard for an entirely different reason,
Thought mayonnaise was a salad dressing,
Said my wedding veil would probably look really interesting under black light,
Had a Master’s Degree,
Was a really special person.
We’re back at Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods with what we think was a perfect Mother’s Day.
My beautiful girls, Dana (left) and Amanda (right).
Mother’s Day 2011.
A day to remember.
Sunday, May 8, 2011 was a beautiful spring day as the sun rose and a light cool breeze wafted over the fields, neighborhoods, parks, and churchyards. Families enjoyed picnics, walks in the park, visits with the animals at Maymont Park, brunches and lunches in local restaurants, and just gathering together to celebrate their mothers.
My day was enjoyable, beginning with a visit with my dad who is starting to show many signs of improvement after weeks of intense physical therapy. We talked briefly about my mother and how much we both miss her and then I had a cup of coffee with my younger sister as we talked and laughed.
Before the coolness of the morning wore off, I was on the road and headed back to Richmond for my own mother’s day lunch. Enjoying a delicious salad and grilled chicken was fun – mainly because I did not have to prepare it. A walk through Short Pump and a visit to Sweet Frog’s made it all the more enjoyable. Although I’m trying very hard to watch my calories and sugar intake these days, the toppings at Sweet Frog’s just called my name for this special Mother’s Day!
We sat outside with many other families and children who were also enjoying the tasty frozen yogurt as we laughed and talked more. It was a relaxing, fun, and memorable day so far.
But something was missing.
There was a constant nagging feeling that something was not quite right.
And I knew what it was.
My youngest daughter and her new husband are still on their two week honeymoon in Madrid, meaning this is the first Mother’s Day I have ever spent without her. Although I am happy that she and her husband are having such a wonderful time, I must admit I feel a bit of loneliness and sadness that I am experiencing Mother’s Day without her.
And as if that weren’t enough, my oldest daughter, her husband and two of their children are out of town at the year-end gymnastics state competition! We are so proud of Emma and her incredible accomplishments as a gymnast, but why they scheduled the state meet on Mother’s Day is beyond me! That means I do not get to see my precious grandchildren and my daughter and son-in-law are not around today either.
Yes, a bit of sadness and pity for myself that neither of my precious daughters are here today.
But alas, there are two incredibly bright spots. My husband and I have enjoyed a wonderful day together. As I walked into the house after my 2 and half hour drive, I was greeted with a special card and the most beautiful flowers you can imagine. Our lunch together and visit to Sweet Frog was relaxing and the time we spend together is always precious.
And to make the day even better, I picked up my youngest granddaughter from her paternal grandparents and she spent the rest of the day and night with me. You see, I was unable to attend my oldest daughter’s gymnastics competition because my youngest granddaughter is just a bit too young to enjoy and endure the events. Instead, it was best for me to return home and keep her here while her parents enjoy the state competition with Emma.
Lily, who is not quite 2 years old, was the most fun you can imagine. Giggling, laughing, running and playing outdoors most all afternoon was so fun. Sneaking her some forbidden snacks was another treat for me this Mother’s Day — watching his eyes grow bigger and bigger as the M&Ms rattled in her cup. As I bathed her and got her ready for bed, we had even more fun. And then, the snuggles and hugs as I rocked her and sang to her just before bedtime were priceless.
No, my daughters are not physically here today to celebrate Mother’s Day with me – but their phone calls, texts, and emails have kept us close in touch and their “I love you’s” across the miles mean more than words can say.
My 3 precious grandchildren.
Today was a a very different — yet special — Mother’s Day. It was the first time I have ever spent Mother’s Day without my children, but it was okay after all. Especially with the time I spent with my husband and youngest granddaughter.
To all of you young mothers out there, I remind you that the years go by quickly. Enjoy your children while they’re young and treasure every possible moment with them. They are growing up before your eyes, and their lives will take them in many different directions as adults.
Now, that’s something to celebrate.