For Mom

Mother’s Day has become a bit hard for me.  I lost my mother 17 years ago and it has never quite been the same since.  I have found for women who have lost their mothers at a young age (me) or whom were especially close to their mothers (also me), this is a holiday that is difficult to celebrate.  I also know many women who have longed to have biological children of their own and, for whatever reasons, haven’t had that happen.  For women like that, this holiday can be an ‘in your face’ reminder.  Part of the difficulty is its such an emotional holiday usually for women in all of these categories and you can fall prey to unsuspecting but well meaning people who can make it worse by reminding you.  “Happy Mother’s Day” anyone?

But I’ve turned a corner recently and have discovered a way to honor my mother and not focus on the loss.  What I do is focus on women that are important in my life–sisters, teachers, friends, etc.  So many of these women have in many ways shaped or ‘birthed’ me.  The high school teacher, now a friend, who transformed my life as a hostile teenager.  My sisters who have been mother to me at times; but, mostly role models and friends.  My childhood friend who has known me several lifetimes and still loves me and makes me laugh.  The tribe of women on my small island who teach me something new every day.  To me Mother’s Day is, if you’re lucky enough, a celebration of your mother but it can also be a celebration of those women you hold dear; whom, mother or not, almost certainly deserve celebrating.

Happy Monday,

Lori

P.S. That lovely frock on this blog?  Your mother would LOVE it.  One size fits all and it comes in three smashing prints/color!