To all of the mom's out there, I wish you a truly Happy Mother's Day.

As a 46 year old mom, who lost her own mom in '96, this is much a bittersweet day for me. As a matter of fact, my mother often said she thought it was a day invented strictly by the card/flower/restaurant industry, but to certain mother's it was a very hard day almost bordering on cruel. I never knew what she meant, until I had to suffer my first Mother's Day without her. I thought of all the things I wanted her to have and never got: she'd go into a store, and see a beautiful beef roast but it was too expensive so she'd go without. And there was this wonderful chocolate she got just once a year and that was Christmas: it was an orange jel stick covered with dark chocolate. And once she was gone, I cried for those things she wanted but didn't get. I do enjoy the day for my children, even though we don't participate in the commercial aspect of it: no cards, no flowers, no restaurant because not only would it be too expensive, I want them to reflect on what the day is really suppose to be for. So dinner today? Why a beautiful beef roast (gorgeous one, not on sale thank you very much!) cooked slowly all day with some sweet carrots in a deep rich broth: mashed potatoes, and buttered lima beans. We'll 'sop' our plate with a nice crusty piece of bread. For dessert? Orange sticks with chocolate of course.

While being without a mom is certainly a club no one wants to be in, I do remember my mother worrying about the mom's who were alone on Mother's Day, or worse yet the mom's who weren't alone but would set by the phone all day for a call that would never come. I would hug her and say "Happy Mother's Day" and she'd say 'Everyday should be Mother's Day. Indeed.

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Catt
~ Mirror Mirror on the wall, I am my mother - after all! ~

awww catt I sure understand! my mom died when I was a teen and many times I am saddened that I never got to know her as an adult!

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Always be a first rate version of your self instead of a second rate version of someone else.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
What the country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds.

My mom passed away 4.5 years ago, so I totally understand where you're coming from Catt. (which of course, you already know).

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Thanks for sharing that story! It is beautiful and made me cry.

As a child, I remember we didn't have much money and my dad was tight as a tic and wasn't going to give me money to buy mama anything even for Mother's Day (which is probably why he is alone now, lol) So, I used to struggle wanting to get my mama something special and many times, she didn't get what she deserved and had to 'settle' for whatever I got to make at school. HOWEVER, she always smiled and let me know that it was ok......BUT somewhere in mind, I know her heart ached, Maybe it was because my dad didn't think enough of her to help me get her something nice or whatever. So, then when I became an adult and had a job and my own money, I tried to plan months in advance to get her something nice. And I did for a few years.......THEN, it was My first mothers day (11 years ago), I remember, my mama rushing around trying to make sure that my newborn son got me a nice gift and at the same time, I was running around trying to make sure that I got my mother a gift.....several days later, it hit me.......WHY? So, at that point, I made the decision that we were not going to do that no more. So, for the past ten years, we "SIMPLY" spend the day together, enjoy a meal, and it is more than any gift than can be bought. Because out of the corner of my eye, I can see her watching me with my children, as I am watching her with my children. It is hard to explain, but it's wonderful!

So, on some level, I understand what you're saying. But your post more than confirms the way we 'chose' to spend mothers day is the best gift we can give each other. I can honestly say too, that I have never taken my mama for granted. She is my best friend in every way and I know that I am blessed to still have her in my life. I have always treated my mama like it's mothers day the other 364 days a year and I know that is a lesson that I learned from her! My heart aches for those of you who no longer have your mother's physically here with you. I hope that the memories that you do have fill your eyes with twinkles and spread your mother's love to your own children.

Thank you for sharing!

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email is moserlara@yahoo.com

I love your story Dalton. Having lost my mom, I get easily annoyed when people complain about theirs. Your story makes me smile big time.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus