Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Mother in Me

A lot of people suffer from post-holiday blues after Christmas, you read about it everywhere. After all of the hub bub, the entertaining, the decorating, the cookie baking and the gift giving is done, there is not much else to do but pack it all up in tidy boxes and store them under the house for the next 11 months (or 10 if you're one of those folk who drag out the Christmas wares the day after Halloween). And then wander around a seemingly empty house until you get your mojo back.

My point?

Mother's Day.

The kids had suggested sweet nothings of breakfast in bed all week. They tortured me with projects held secretively behind their backs until they could be placed in a hiding spot in their rooms until Sunday morning. They giggled and counted down the days until "Mom's Special Day."

(Well, okay, the boys didn't do this, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Katie did.)

And then...nothing.

Yes, my husband brought me a beautiful bouquet. Yes, they all signed a card. Yes, they behaved (somewhat) at the celebration for my Grandmother's 91st birthday - some of them even helped with the dishes.

But Mom's special day?

Not really.

When we got home late that night, everyone tuckered out from a day of sunshine, family and a new puppy (theirs not ours), it was quick to bed and quick to sleep, for all of them. Several minutes passed and I thought they were all down for the count, when I heard rustling upstairs. Wyatt suddenly came lumbering down to me, something in his hand and a sad look on his face.

"This was supposed to be your Mother's day gift," he said as he placed a handmade box full of "fortunes" and "happy thoughts" in my hand.

"It's beautiful." I told him.

Each little note in the box was in his handwriting, each thought was plucked from his thoughtful mind, even the one that read, "Thank you for saving me from McRae. Ewwwww."

"I'm sorry I didn't give it to you earlier," he said.

And that's when I told him what I've been trying all day to articulate to here. Mother's day isn't all about the moms, the ones with little children under their feet. It isn't about the youngest generation, in the trenches of the tantrums, the toddlers, the tattle tales. It isn't about the moms changing diapers or those dealing with puberty.

I'm lucky enough to have four generations of moms surrounding me, every single day in come capacity or another. Whether they are just down the road, or on the other end of a funny email or thoughtful phone call, they are there...for me...constantly and consistently. They are grandmothers, great grandmothers, aunts, cousins and friends.

And I could not do any of this without them.

I anticipate this day every year for 2 reasons. One, because we always celebrate my Grandmother's birthday on this day and two, because I get to spend the day surrounded by the love of all my "moms." All of them. True, my one and only Mother is the one who I honor most, but she and I do not need a special day just for that. And I'm glad she knows this just as I do.

And just like after Christmas, after the trappings are taken down, I wander along aimlessly - coming down from the maternally-induced high of being in the presence of greatness which comes in the form of the females who have been there for me, my entire life. My circle.

My connections to the past, present and future.

Of which, none could be clearer than this photo illustrates:



See how they are looking at each other? It's like they're plotting.

8 comments:

Kim said...

That picture is classic..they are def plotting something..

Ann(ie) said...

hehe. That picture is so adorable!!! That's a keeper. what a pair!!

mona said...

That picture is precious. I wish I had one like that.

Lisa said...

Wow! I have been reading your blog for a month or two now...I'm not even sure how I came across it...but I just saw a picture of "Grandma Carol" on your page. I am married to Larry's grandson Scott. How random and "small universe" is that??????

Still kinda shocked....

Kyla said...

I don't have ANY grandparents. I always have to borrow them from friends, but it isn't quite the same.

The comment above mine is blowing my mind! Dude! Small world!

carrie said...

It's blowing my mind too! She is my "step cousin in-law!" My Grandma is married to her husband's Grandfather. They got married about 20 years ago, but he has a large family and we only see all of his grandkids and great grandkids together in a big group every few years! :)

Small world, indeed.

Christy said...

You're a lucky lady. :)

Christine said...

They are totally plotting. And it's magical!