Sunday - Mother's Day

If you're a mom, an American mom (because Mother's Day is celebrated on other dates elsewhere) have you found a way to make this day special? I would guess that it already has a bit of the unusual about it. You feel the stress and distress of others who have a much more difficult time of it than you do. You can't travel to share space with all those you wish could be part of your day. You can't do this, you can't do that. A world of barriers.

And still, if you are healthy and your kids and grandkids are healthy, and you have some source of at least adequate support, well now, isn't that just huge? So for those of us who have both things in place (so far) -- I say go ahead and revel in your good fortune! And if you know someone who is struggling with a loss, now is the time to reach out.


So how are mothers celebrating this year? How are you doing it? What's different this time around for you?

Me, I'm wearing pants! In other words, I'm dressing up! It has come to my attention that I have been in sweatpants or legging sweats every single day of the pandemic (and some days before that official declaration came our way). Today, I dusted off stuff that I usually wear when I visit my girl in Chicago or my friends in Europe. I have to say, it feels strange to have something on that isn't held up by elastic.

What else? I'm dealing with the weather. We're all dealing with the weather in the Midwest and the northeastern states.

The morning is cold, though above freezing. It's raining steadily and I am happy about that because our gardens need the rain.






Breakfast, of course, is in the kitchen. Ed, hurry up! My oatmeal is getting cold!






I had a list of chores that would have been perfect for a poor weather day, but I decided to treat myself and not do them. Such a gift. No to taxes. No to bills. No to major house cleaning (just the bathroom!). No no no! This is a day for spending time with my beloveds however we can make that happen.

For example, an extended FaceTime with Primrose and her mom.






This may have been more of a challenge for the little one even a few months ago, but right now, she is full of energy, and fun, and words, and I'm getting a very good feel for how she is growing (in leaps and bounds!), even if I'm here and she's there.






Many grandparents come to these phone sessions with their grandkids well prepared, with books and toys to show and share with them on the screen. I rarely do that. Is it laziness? Maybe, but I think it's more that I always love to have the child take the lead rather than pushing my idea of what would be fun. Perhaps that's not fair to the parents who would appreciate a little diversion and perhaps even a break from round-the-clock childcare, and still, I am far happier watching, listening, learning about what the child is all about, offering only the occasional silly song lyric or goofy comment. Oh, and the camera! Primrose is used to seeing my camera in our FaceTimes together!






Thank you for this sweet (so sweet) Mother's Day interlude!






And then it snowed. Oh, not your sticky ground covering snow, but if you went outside, you'd get some fat gloppy flakes on your nose. I did.






Has it ever snowed on Mother's Day in Madison, Wisconsin? Must we go down in the record books on all counts for this day? On the upside, there was no garden damage. It's not bitter cold, just wet and cold.

In the evening, the young family (that has been completely isolating these past two months) is here for dinner.


 








In many ways, it is like any other Sunday dinner...






... but of course, in important ways -- it's not that at all. However you are eating your dinner as a mom, you should take note of the uniqueness of this day!

Here, the kids are the focal point. Oh, they'll go off and play for a while, but when they make an appearance, our smiles are for them, if only because they pull them out of us without effort!







Yes, we would have liked a bigger dinner, with both families. We would have liked sunshine on the porch. We would have enjoyed maybe a walk on the path I mowed in the young orchard. Just to admire the blooming fruit trees. But, that is not to say that we put by the wayside what we have now: time together. FaceTime, real time -- it's time, gifted to us, loved to pieces for its preciousness, its delightful silliness, its richness in all ways.


I hope you, too, had a meaningful, perhaps even beautiful Mother's Day.

With so much love!