I haven't really enjoyed Mother's Day for well... my whole mothering life, although it has slowly improved in the past few years. The best Mother's Day I had when the kids were small was the one two days after Mr Busy was born, because I was in hospital, being lavished with chocolate and being spoilt by nurses who get it.
Recently in our house we had a conversation around how much I don't enjoy Mother's Day. My husband maintains that I am not his mother, and I pointed out that he had not taught his children to honour theirs. To add insult to injury he has been overseas since late last week so he wasn't even here for Mother's Day. At all! As it turns out, that was the motivation the kids needed. That, and the girls now have their own means and opportunity (money and transport) to make things happen without relying on anyone else.
On Sunday I woke up to gifts, purchased by children who thought about what would bless me. After taking Mr Busy to church early I returned to ham and cheese croissants for breakfast. Lunch was a cheese platter and dinner was a chicken and dauphine potatoes, a la Jamie Oliver, with apple pie for dessert. We watched "The Dressmaker" together, and I got have a little nap. It was perfect.
The day before I spent the day doing a flower arranging class, taught by a friend. Mum drive down to Melbourne and joined me, and then I took her out to a local nursery/cafe for lunch and we wandered about the nursery afterwards. In amongst writing reports and marking student work it was simply an amazing day.
So I think the Mother's Day curse has finally passed.
How was your Mother's Day? Difficult? Delightful? Improving? No hope in sight?
However it turned out, we can encourage one another and the other mothers know. We can tell one another what an amazing job they are doing and honour the sacrifice, love and commitment they pour into the lives of their children. Who do you need to encourage today?
