Mother’s Day 2020

A bittersweet day...

Today is Mother’s Day 2020.  It’s a happy, yet sad day.  Many of us cannot give our mothers a hug and a kiss and a pot of flowers or a box of candy because she is in a heavenly place or lives across the country. But those whose mothers live nearby may not have the ability to visit their mother because of COVID-19.  It’s a poignant reminder of what we have lost. While this pandemic has taken its toll on society, we, as a people, can use alternate methods to honor our mothers.

When I checked Facebook this morning, an array of mother’s photos were posted.  Along with the tribute, the photos tell the stories of each woman. And such lovely women they are!  What an honor to them that their children took the time to scan and post their photos to bless them. I love this aspect of Facebook because we wouldn’t be able to see those lovely photos otherwise, particularly photos of classmates, colleagues’ and other family members mother’s photos. From the 1940s through today, those photos tell the story of each woman’s life.

My own mother lives ten hours away.  She is housebound now and will be alone all day.  While we will call her and wish her a Happy Mother’s Day, it’s not the same as being in the same room to be able to give her a hug and flowers…in my case, I’d give her a box of candy since she’s not a big fan of fresh flowers because of allergies. This is a photo of her (with the corsage) on the day of her engagement to my father.

Some years ago, we moved to Germany and missed a U. S. Mother’s Day that year.  But my children planned a surprise 80th birthday for my mother, so I hopped a plane and surprised her for her 80th surprise birthday party.  She thought I was the surprise.  Little did she know that a party had been planned for her with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren along with her sibling.  This is a photo of her upon my arrival and a photo of her at the surprise party. 

As she ages, she has moments of confusion and forgetfulness and it’s difficult to watch but I’m hoping today will be a good day.

For all those who are feeling the pain of not being able to hug your mother, I pray for comfort and peace this day.  May your memories of your mother give you a warmth that will keep you for the entire year.

Those of us fortunate enough to have children and grandchildren. The day is a reminder of the cycle of life and a testimony of the love of family.  My children also live many hours away and this has been the case for many years. I have already heard from one of my children and the smiles and love felt over the phone will never replace the hugs and kisses of being in the same room.  But I know that one day we will be together in heaven and never far away again.

For all the mothers reading this, I wish you a very blessed Mother’s Day filled with love, happiness, and laughter.

 

 

 

 

 

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