Mothers Day

The greatest blessings of my life, and frankly, I feel I have had more than my share, are my children.  When I was young, I noticed we had a Mothers Day and a Fathers Day.  I  asked why there wasn't a "Kids Day".  My parents responded that it was because every day was "Kids Day".   I suppose that has some validity, but I have to say that since I am now a mother and have been for 3.5 decades,  I might have been on the right track.  Shouldn't we just celebrate families, whatever shape, form or fashion they might take?   I see Mothers Day as a very special family day and would not mind us renaming it and getting the big business out of it.   Could we have a Mothers Day if we didn't have a family?  For me, Mothers Day is a day to focus on the love that we, as parents, have for our children as they take time from their busy schedules to focus on their love for us.

Last night my youngest son (age 32) took me out to a Mothers Day dinner after I shared in the always celebratory experience of putting their 19 month old baby girl to bed.  I have been sharing in this ritual  at least one night per week, sometimes more, since I moved to Dallas, three and a half months after her birth.  My heart always fills with love as I watch her parents love on her and play with her and I get my GraMa kisses and hugs.  Really, is there anything more fulfilling (as in filling you up with Love) than being a parent/grandparent?  I always feel the full gamut of positive human emotion when I am with or think about my children.  Yes, I know, we protect them as much as we can, worry over them, pray many prayers of protection and love over them, and get a few worry lines in the process.  However, there is nothing else in my life that feels me up with love like being with them, hearing their challenges and knowing that these amazing human beings are connected to me.  I believe they always will be, even after my body has ceased to function.  I believe that because I still feel connected to Mom.  She died 18 years ago. 

By the way, the dinner was lovely with my son.  Being able to spend time one on one with my sons is a gift my daughter-in-laws each support.  They don't just do that one time a year, either, they do it throughout the year.   I so appreciate that!  I recognize those times as real blessings.  I also spend time one on one with each of my daughters by marriage and with each of their family units.  It is a  real blessing and honor to get to know the women my sons fell in love with and to get to participate in their families.  Each woman is a perfect match for the son with whom they share life.
 
I went to my eldest son's house this morning for Brunch with his family.   It was  a very special time which filled up my love reservoir even more.  As I read the card he gave me (very sweet and loving) and I spent time with his family, I reflected on how much my relationship with him and his wife (and wonderful granddog) mean to me.  He cooked brunch for me, busted out a gluten free coffee cake in honor of my gluten free diet and we shared time together.  His wife, my daughter by law, prepared a terrific Bloody Mary for me.

This day has become very commercialized  I fear, but in our family, it is more a day to stop and acknowledge how much we mean to each other.  My sons know that presents that cost a lot of money are not my desire, but their presence is.  They honor me by giving me that.  Mothers day is a time for me to remember the blessings of my children's lives.  It is a time to remember how I learned a new depth of love on the day that each was born. It is a day when we can remember to speak about our connection.   When I don't see them on a regular basis, I am not full or complete.  I am so very fortunate at this point and time in my life to live in the same town, to see them and their families every week, and to be able to cherish the relationships.  May we all love each other and be present when with those who mean the most to us, not just today but every day.  May we regularly work through our present day disappointments and differences as well as any past issues that rankled us so that we can celebrate our connections.  Love is all we really need.  Now go out there and BE WITH your family and while you are there, BE PRESENT!