Lovely Mother's Day

Here's a photo of my two sons and their wives: my daughter-in-laws (L-R) Jeff, Rachel, me, Tina and Daniel.) We were able to get together for a bridal shower for Rachel and then a lovely dinner cooked by Daniel. He even did the dishes. It doesn't get any better than that. Got to visit with the grand kids and see Jeff and Rachel's new condo and take them out to lunch. A nice weekend and now we are safely home. Left in a rain/snow storm, it was cloudy and 70 degrees in So. Utah when we got home.

Questions about your Mom

1. What is your funniest memory of Mom? (her memory loss in her later years when she would call me by someone else's name)

2. What lesson that she taught you stands out? (surviving on her own as a widow and single parent for many years)

3. What is your favorite characteristic or personality trait about your mom?(always willing to help me in any way)

4. What do you see in yourself that came from her, physically or in your personality?(love of family, and we looked a lot alike)

5. List as many things as possible that she has done for you (everything she could possibly do-supported me in getting an education, in taking dance lessons, provided a home and comforts, worked to support me, taught me, and loved me always.)

Then there was my mom's mother, my grandmother who I so loved. I loved GMJ's get up and go, she was ready for an adventure at any time...she taught me to be strong like she was a widow with 5 kids who worked hard all her life and found the church again at the end of her life, I remember GMJ's sense of humor and ability to laugh at herself. An example of strength in a woman, I honor her. She made a home for Mom and I after we left SLC and before we moved to California-providing security, love, comfort, homemade food and babysitting. She was always there for her family and missed them so much when they all moved away.

Thanks for Susi Q for the questions...

Mother's Day

Prepare for the annual Mother’s Day
That one holiday of the year when
All females who have children dread
Because of all the focus and attention
We are suddenly given for doing
Only that that has to be done

Feeding, cleaning, shopping, loving
Nurturing, disciplining, teaching,
More feeding, cleaning and shopping
Not the fun kind but for food supplies
Which are then consumed quickly
Leaving myriads of dirty dishes
To deal with or get into the dishwasher
Laundry and then more laundry

So what makes parenting and its demands
Especially Mother’s Day so frustrating
Probably because we aren’t perfect
We’d love to be and have perfect kids
Or grandkids but it isn’t going to happen
Not in this life with free agency abounding
And rebellion starting earlier than the teens

All you can do is accept the wilting carnation
With grace, look forward to the empty nest
That day when you will miss all these years
As you watch your kids struggle as parents
Enjoy your day of attention, you deserve it
We all do despite our imperfections
Don't forget to give thanks for your mother