Another Mother’s Day has come and gone and it was wrought with emotions. While we revere mothers, not everyone has positive experiences and it is a difficult day for many.

For those who have had difficult relationships with their own mothers, for those who wished to be mothers but couldn’t for various reasons. for those who have lost their mothers to dementia, for those who have lost their mothers to death – I see you and I am thinking of you even after the day has passed.

While I have loved being a mother, (personally it is my best job ever), others can not say the same. Their paths have been rocky and difficult.

It is a reality that not all have had the loving relationship that I had with my own mother and that makes me sad. I believe everyone deserves to have unconditional love from a parent but I am also aware that that is not possible for many.

That’s what. makes holidays like Mother’s Day so difficult. I don’t want to diminish those that love the day but I also want to be sensitive to those who dread it.

Every year we have a tradition of going on a picnic complete with take out fried chicken on Mother’s Day. It started when the boys were young and even though we no longer are with them normally on Mother’s Day, Chris and I continue the tradition. This year was no different.

Our takeout box was hard to miss…..

We found a spot by the Davidson River.

We took a little walk around after our picnic – wildflowers are blooming everywhere.

And in our own yard we have the elusive Lady Slippers which we absolutely love. Each year we find a few more and it is exciting to have them as part of the landscape.

So as I reflect on another Mother’s Day without my own mom, as I looked at pictures from happy times with her and also from difficult times with her, I realized that it is a day that is difficult and wonderful all at the same time. I hope your day was a good one and that you were able to find some happiness even if there is some sadness associated with it as well.

Tell me one happy thing about Mother’s Day in the comments and remember to Comment for a Cause – American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. You can read more about it here.