Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day turns bittersweet when your mother dies. A day to celebrate her when she is not here, it is difficult.
I miss my mom every day. When I had Maya and became a mother, I felt a different bond with my mom than I had had before. I understood her more. She gave me such grace and understanding, laughed with me, gave me guidance. She was proud of the mother that I became. I don’t think there is anyone in your life that will love you as unconditionally as your parents, with the possible exception of your child or your dog.
I am very thankful to have had the mom that I did. I hit the jackpot. She worked so hard to raise us alone.
I am Also thankful for the other mother figures in my life…my Grandma, my Great Aunt, my Step Mom, and my Mother in Law. And of course, I am thankful for my daughter, who understands how I always feel a little sad and wistful on Mother’s Day. Maya and I celebrated yesterday, with a delicious lunch downtown (salad Nicoise!) and some walking about.
Today I am going to lunch with some friends that I don’t see very often, Cherry and Liz. Cherry moved to Pennsylvania a few years ago, and I miss her terribly. So I am really looking forward to seeing them both.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms, and to those who are not moms, have a wonderful weekend, and if your mom is still here, I hope you have a good relationship and are able to celebrate together.
11 Comments
Ally Bean
This is a lovely post. I remember your mom’s blog, which is how I found you, I think. As a child-free woman I feel like this day could be more about the concept of nurturing, than about one specific role. BUT that’s probably too nuanced thinking for our society. Anyway Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Zazzy
Happy Mother’s Day to you, I think this was a lovely tribute to your mom. The day doesn’t mean much to me. I miss Mom most, like in the poem, at those times when a memory pops up or I want to call her or I see someone who just fleetingly looks like her. I would really enjoy being about to talk to her again, the real her – not the woman of the last decade of her life.
Elisabeth
What a lovely tribute and that poem is absolutely spot on. I feel so blessed that my Mom is still alive and treasure all she did (and continues to do for me) now so much more than I could before having children of my own.
It makes my heart ache to read that last few lines and know that for some children their mother ISN’T a safe space. For those of us with mothers who loved and nurtured and guided us with unconditional acceptance, we are so very fortunate! I’m sorry for your loss but so appreciate how you’re honouring her memory here <3
Happy Mother's Day!
Suzanne
Happy Mother’s Day <3 Thank you for sharing this little piece of your mother today. Such a lovely tribute.
Margaret
I love salade nicoise, having gone to school in Nice for a summer. Such wonderful food in the South of France–or France in general. It’s special that the memories you have of your mom are positive and loving.
Nicole MacPherson
I found a very different level of appreciation for my mom when I became a mom myself. I am so glad you had such a wonderful mother – and other mother figures – in your life. Thank you for sharing.
nance
A lovely and loving post, J. Mother’s Day can be a double-edged sword for many, and for me, with my own mother in the grip of Alzheimer’s disease, it is a bit difficult suddenly.
Your mother was truly an extraordinary woman. You are as well.
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
That poem is beautiful. I also hit the jackpot with my mom. I call on her for advice help so very often – especially when I’m cooking/baking or when one of my kids is sick. She was a nurse so is the absolute best care taker.
I have mixed feelings about Mother’s Day. I know so many who have lost a mother, especially earlier than one should lose a parent, and for many years I knew people who yearned to be a mother. So it seemed to cause more turmoil than joy for the people in my life. Maybe I will enjoy it more when my kids are older and I have freedom to celebrate the day as I’d like or in a less physically demanding way!
J
I agree, Mother’s Day is complicated for so many of us. I do like having an adult child.
San
Happy belated Mother’s Day and thanks for sharing these thoughts about your mom. I can only imagine how much you miss her.
J
Thank you San. Losing your mother is a singular experience, as is losing your father. So, so hard.