Happy Mother's Day!!

[IntenseMagic]

Happy Mother's Day to all who are celebrating today!!

It's a different one for me today since it is the first without my mom. I have spent the day doing a whole lot of nothing. I saw most of my kids yesterday and my oldest is out of town with the Army, so it's been really quiet. I think that's exactly what I needed today. We never even attempt to go out to eat or anything for Mother's Day because everything is so crowded. My only ask for Mother's Day is a shopping trip to the greenhouse for all my flowers and veggies to plant and I'll probably do that one day this week.

Fun Fact - Mother's day here in the US as we know it was created by Anna Jarvis from my home state of West Virginia. She fought for years before she died to have it removed as a holiday because she despised the way it became so commercialized by card and flower companies.

Do you do anything special for Mother's Day?
Do you prefer a full, lots of activity day or a more quiet day?
Were you spoiled today? or whatever day Mother's Day is celebrated where you are lol?

 

[michelepixels]

We don't do much for most holidays. I like some days full of activity and other days quiet. I had good conversations with all three of my kids today, especially the one who lives across the country from me -- we were on the phone for two hours -- so I'm happy.

Hugs to you Jan. This is my 6th Mothers Day without my mom but still . . . things like walking into the grocery store Friday afternoon and being smacked in the face with huge displays of balloons and flowers get to me. Wegmans really kind of goes overboard. Glad you had the day you wanted.

 

[scrapchyck]

Do you do anything special for Mother's Day? I did end up being taken out for lunch yesterday (the day was my choice, the restaurant as well). It was a quick and pleasant time with my youngest. Usually, that's what we do since the other kids are in New Jersey and L.A. I did hear from my daughter who always sends some kind of gift and will talk to my oldest when he gets off work.
Do you prefer a full, lots of activity day or a more quiet day? I prefer a quiet day. In fact, I even avoid church on this day. It's not because of my kids...they're great...it's because I don't have a relationship with my own mother. It is hard for me to hear anything glowing about other peoples' mothers.
Were you spoiled today? It was kind of funny, my youngest and I went to Pastini's yesterday (he paid), and my daughter sent me a gift card to Pastini's because she remembered it was close to where I work and it's where we went the last time she was in town. Funny!

 

[Karen]

Hugs to you Jan on your first Mother's Day without your Mom. Glad you had a nice quiet day. Flowers/Plant shopping sounds perfect too!

Do you do anything special for Mother's Day? My husband made me a yummy steak dinner as that was my request for Mother's Day. My boys didn't even remember it was Mother's Day until we went to church and soemone else wish me a happy mother's day. Sigh. Boys.

Do you prefer a full, lots of activity day or a more quiet day? I always prefer a quiet day, but I always end up running around it seems.

Were you spoiled today? or whatever day Mother's Day is celebrated where you are lol? Not really spoiled, but that's totally fine with me. I don't need hoopla. Lol

 

[AJK]

I'm a day late to this thread- completed a 900 mile trip back yesterday. We went up to visit my Mom, as she has recently been moved to a Hospice care facility - Lutheran Life Village. It's an excellent place, same one my Dad was in and passed there. But it's not home for her and we all understand. So Mother's Day different for her this year. Quite sad. Hoping she will adjust.
Do you do anything special for Mother's Day?
I grew up with Mother's Day being a big deal. Flowers, gifts, cards, AND out to dinner. Mom had no doubt about her standing, lol! What I didn't know was how much that would change when gaining a daughter-in -law. I received a few gifts over the 14 years, but the ceased several years ago. It has made me a bit sad, not because I need more stuff, but because what was modeled in my childhood expressed the honoring of the Mother and her value to the family. My DIL doesn't see it that way, and it's been a hard pill to swallow. Same for my birthday. Sometimes that hurts. I don't understand why my son acquiesces to this? He stopped by yesterday with the kids, but DIL was absent. (It's one of the things about her that could make me pretty angry if I chose to allow it. )BUT: He IS living his life in such a way that honors his Dad and me through work ethic, character, and faith. So, what do I want most is the question I have to ask myself twice a year. Our DD is half way across the country, and she is consistent with some sort of gift/acknowledgement.
Do you prefer a full, lots of activity day or a more quiet day? N/A
Were you spoiled today? No. And I have had to learn to accept this, along with the reinforcing that my worth, my identity is not rooted in this tradition. I think that is a GOOD thing.

@michelepixels That hedgehog!! ​

 

[Brendazzle]

Do you do anything special for Mother's Day? We went out to dinner - me, my mom, my brother, my husband, and my son. I also FINALLY got to give my mom the iridescent cup I got for her 2 months ago when she first mentioned wanting it. (My mom almost never wants anything and is somewhat difficult to give gifts to so having something she wants made it hard to save it.)

Do you prefer a full, lots of activity day or a more quiet day? Quiet day. Which I got at 11 PM when I FINALLY got to put on my new, matching pajamas and play some Dave the Diver with the kiddo.

The best Mother's Day I had was 2021. We took a trip to Ocala to take my mom on the glass-bottom boat at Silver Springs State Park and we saw manatees! On our way back to the hotel, we found a little snack shack that specialized in Dole Whip. The kiddo fell asleep in the car so we swung by the hotel to grab some more supplies and drove an hour north to Gainesville to go to my favorite state park (and wild horses!), grab carryout from a favorite local chain, and then to the UF Bat House to see them all leave at sunset to hunt. We even saw a red fox at the bat house. That seems like a full day but it was so quiet and peaceful.

Were you spoiled today? Not really. Every year since 2020 has really driven home that being a mom means having to do EVERYTHING always and pick up the slack and I hate it. Raising a medically complex kiddo is not for the weak, especially if you're with the kid almost every minute of every day. I sobbed so hard I hurt myself yesterday morning trying to make sure dinner out happened. And that was before my water cooler broke and flooded a strip through my kitchen, the door into my bedroom, and by my bookshelves (which we stopped before it got to the scrapbooks). I made it happen though! Even if we no one else though to pack the kiddo's noise canceling headphones while I was dealing with the flood.

 

[bcnatty]

I went over to my mom's with my sister and we had a potluck brunch...so delicious! Then my daughter and I stopped by our local greenhouse and picked up a couple new plants. My husband made me a delicious grilled salmon and roasted corn salad for dinner.
Low key with the people I love!!
The only other thing I would have loved to do would have been kayaking, but the weather wasn't the greatest yesterday.

 

[scrapchyck]

I'm a day late to this thread- completed a 900 mile trip back yesterday. We went up to visit my Mom, as she has recently been moved to a Hospice care facility - Lutheran Life Village. It's an excellent place, same one my Dad was in and passed there. But it's not home for her and we all understand. So Mother's Day different for her this year. Quite sad. Hoping she will adjust.
Do you do anything special for Mother's Day?
I grew up with Mother's Day being a big deal. Flowers, gifts, cards, AND out to dinner. Mom had no doubt about her standing, lol! What I didn't know was how much that would change when gaining a daughter-in -law. I received a few gifts over the 14 years, but the ceased several years ago. It has made me a bit sad, not because I need more stuff, but because what was modeled in my childhood expressed the honoring of the Mother and her value to the family. My DIL doesn't see it that way, and it's been a hard pill to swallow. Same for my birthday. Sometimes that hurts. I don't understand why my son acquiesces to this? He stopped by yesterday with the kids, but DIL was absent. (It's one of the things about her that could make me pretty angry if I chose to allow it. )BUT: He IS living his life in such a way that honors his Dad and me through work ethic, character, and faith. So, what do I want most is the question I have to ask myself twice a year. Our DD is half way across the country, and she is consistent with some sort of gift/acknowledgement.
Do you prefer a full, lots of activity day or a more quiet day? N/A
Were you spoiled today? No. And I have had to learn to accept this, along with the reinforcing that my worth, my identity is not rooted in this tradition. I think that is a GOOD thing.

@michelepixels That hedgehog!! ​

Hugs!

 

[scrapchyck]

Do you do anything special for Mother's Day? We went out to dinner - me, my mom, my brother, my husband, and my son. I also FINALLY got to give my mom the iridescent cup I got for her 2 months ago when she first mentioned wanting it. (My mom almost never wants anything and is somewhat difficult to give gifts to so having something she wants made it hard to save it.)

Do you prefer a full, lots of activity day or a more quiet day? Quiet day. Which I got at 11 PM when I FINALLY got to put on my new, matching pajamas and play some Dave the Diver with the kiddo.

The best Mother's Day I had was 2021. We took a trip to Ocala to take my mom on the glass-bottom boat at Silver Springs State Park and we saw manatees! On our way back to the hotel, we found a little snack shack that specialized in Dole Whip. The kiddo fell asleep in the car so we swung by the hotel to grab some more supplies and drove an hour north to Gainesville to go to my favorite state park (and wild horses!), grab carryout from a favorite local chain, and then to the UF Bat House to see them all leave at sunset to hunt. We even saw a red fox at the bat house. That seems like a full day but it was so quiet and peaceful.

Were you spoiled today? Not really. Every year since 2020 has really driven home that being a mom means having to do EVERYTHING always and pick up the slack and I hate it. Raising a medically complex kiddo is not for the weak, especially if you're with the kid almost every minute of every day. I sobbed so hard I hurt myself yesterday morning trying to make sure dinner out happened. And that was before my water cooler broke and flooded a strip through my kitchen, the door into my bedroom, and by my bookshelves (which we stopped before it got to the scrapbooks). I made it happen though! Even if we no one else though to pack the kiddo's noise canceling headphones while I was dealing with the flood.

Hugs!

 

[umyesh]

Do you do anything special for Mother's Day?
It’s different every year. I bought myself my favorite Panera salad on Saturday and had my parents over for dinner and Rummikub Sunday.

Do you prefer a full, lots of activity day or a more quiet day?
I prefer a more quiet day, staying home with the fam.

Were you spoiled today?
Somewhat. DH made me breakfast. The two youngest kids cleaned the house. The oldest went to church with me. I told DH not to take the kids shopping for me so I set myself up for failure there but at least we saved money.

 

[jagruti patel]

Do you do anything special for Mother's Day? Usually take out for dinner, nothing fancy. This year, my sister threw a little get together on Saturday, which was nice.

Do you prefer a full, lots of activity day or a more quiet day? We had a chill day - a walk, the park, a movie, some Catan (I still have to win a game!)

Were you spoiled today? or whatever day Mother's Day is celebrated where you are lol? I would say yes, but it was more low key, which I prefer!

 

[norton94]

@IntenseMagic hugs

 

[Aerobigirl]

@IntenseMagic I'm so sorry for your loss. There's never an easy time to lose one's mom, and the first year is particularly hard. I hope you were able to find some peace and space for how you needed to authentically feel and be on Sunday.