Almost Mother’s Day

A few weeks ago, my class planted seeds that we hoped would grow into flowers by Mother’s Day, (if any mommies in my class are reading this – please act surprised).  Well, the seeds did not grow.  They did not even sprout.  I have been laughing a bit about the irony in this because the big joke in our family was that my mom had a “black thumb” instead of a “green one”.  She could not grow a thing!  I think that this is something that I have inherited from her.  So today, I ran out to buy flowers that we will plant for the mom’s and grandmas instead. 

I have been kind of dreading this weekend.  Our first Mother’s Day without mom.  It has been a bit surreal actually.  It was always so difficult to think of a gift to get her.  We always tried to come up with something unique or different.  She never needed anything, never asked for anything.  She always said she never needed more “stuff”.  Flowers were never an option because as I wrote in the beginning of this blog, they would have never lasted in her house!!! 

I have been a part of a few conversations recently where friends are talking about what they are going to do for their moms this weekend.   I notice some of them are realizing what they are saying and awkwardly trying to skirt around the subject.  I hope that they know, that I don’t mind, and in fact I am happy to talk about it. I don’t expect others to not talk about it.  In fact I want them to.

This year, we are all going to my aunt and uncle house.  We will have a barbecue and keep it small and simple.  Mom liked it that way.  My grandma, sister, aunts and cousins, (all moms themselves), will be there too.  We will celebrate each other and just being moms.  We can count our blessings, knowing that our family is fortunate to be so close and tight knit.  All of these women are precious and although they cannot take mom’s place, they are blessings to me.  I am working hard to be the kind of mom my mom was for us and with the love and support of our family, I know that I will be able to do it.  So, although this Mother’s Day will be bittersweet for all of us, I know that mom will be there, along with Francine, (who would have been celebrating her own Mother’s Day as a pregnant mommy this year) watching over us and sending love our way. 

Tagged: abraham lincoln, angel mother, first mother's day without mom, green thumb, Mother's Day, mother's day without mom