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.
12 Comments
Leave a commentI know. It’s my second year without my mom. I couldn’t even visit her grave and leave flowers. But my darling granddaughter did it for me and sent a picture. So sweet of her. I spent the day with my fur babies and gave them extra cuddles. Hugs. xo
I have lots of happy thoughts about Mother’s Day, but some sad ones too: I had a wonderful, loving mother and our relationship (other than some rough times during my teenage years) was great. I lost her the week before Mother’s Day in 1995, so I always have memories of that. BUT, my son and I have a great relationship, and I’m so fortunate that he lives just a few miles away. I’m thankful that I get to see him often, that he texts every day, and that we were able to be together on Mother’s Day. Sounds like you & Chris had a nice day – love Boj’s!
While I didn’t get to see my sons on Mother’s Day this year I did get to spend the whole day with my mother. I am blessed!
Good thoughts. I like the fried chicken tradition. Joy and sorrow are so close together, aren’t they?
We don’t have any Mother’s Day traditions but my girls set up a little tea party for me yesterday which was very sweet. On Mother’s Day I always think of my grandma since her birthday is always right around the same time and I still miss her dearly even though she’s been gone for over 10 years. But she helped raise me and we were close. I always think of her and have a little conversation with her.
Bruce and I went to the cemetery where his folks are buried, and his brother, and took daffodils cut from our yard to put on their graves. I don’t know why I thought that was a unique idea. The cemetery was FILLED with people putting flowers out and just sitting. And even though that was kind of sad, it made me smile too, to think that all those people wanted to be with their people on a gloriously beautiful sunny warm day.
I love your tradition! I’m sure your mother was present in spirit. I believe our loved ones are always with us in some form. Have never seen a Bojangles but will make sure we stop if we see one someday!
What a wonderful Mother’s Day tradition in that picnic. I had a few “moments” yesterday when I thought of Mom and the tears came.
Grilling out is a favorite.
Looks like you had a nice day. Quiet reflection always works for me on Mother’s Day. We lost both my mother-in-law and my mother within 6 months of each other so that was hard. And that year when Mother’s Day rolled around, I was melancholy. But then my Dad gave me this advice: “You no longer have your mother, but you ARE a mother, so celebrate your day.” As always, Dad was wise.
What a sweet tradition fir Mother’s Day. Chuck and I went to church and had a wonderful service and then went out with our Sunday lunch gang. I lost my sweet Mama 50 yrs. ago but she always lives in my heart.
My parents always said they opposed all of what I call Hallmark Holidays (Dad had more pungent words for’em), so what I remember best about Mothers’ Day is that my aunt used to be the one to prod me to mail out cards. (Not to aunts. Only to mothers. So aunts get cards next week, and Dad would then prod me, “Don’t forget how many packages your aunt sent you all those years…”)
We were a nonconformist family but, on the whole, a happy one when I was growing up.