I love the column with which you begin this piece, Sue. For those among us who experienced challenging home environments as children, it is indeed a long work of growth and maturity to reach that realization with something like grace for one's mom.
I also abhor the commercialization of special days. Celebration of these times should come from our hearts and spending time with others, not, as you mention, buying things or empty repeated phrases. How we carry on should not be held hostage to a single declared day. It should be any day or all days. Thank you for this insightful and thoughtful writing.
I appreciate your inclusion regarding the original intent for Mothers’ Day. That intent more aptly communicates the role of women as beings who nurture and water the earth. The courage, compassion, beauty, energy, and creativity that we lend to the world is a part of our purpose and what we have come here to do. We are indeed a ferocious breed. Heck yeah: we deserve a day!
Then there is the more specific definition of mother as women giving birth to sons and daughters. Sadly, the traumas of this broken world, which, by the way include the greed perpetuated by corporate America, often snuff out the purposes and/or ability of some mothers to serve their heart’s journey well. This role of biological mothering often carries a lot of sorrow. Mother’s Day often rubs against the forever-lasting scar tissue of disappointment, heartbreak, failure, or loss. I suppose in this vein, flowers or fragrance may touch the pain with a small dose of sweetness.
This morning, I walked across the street with chocolate covered strawberries for my elderly neighbor who lost a son to a drunk driver 30 years ago. Just a knock on her door to say I see you, I know you, I care about you, and I am with you today. The chocolate covered strawberries were only a symbol meant to convey that care and concern. Of course, the hug and the kiss upon the cheek was probably enough, but she did tell me anything with chocolate makes her happy and thus, I do think I noticed a twinkle in her eye return even in her sadness.
This day that is set aside to create an opportunity to acknowledge the sisterhood of women and all that we do is worth celebrating. I’m feisty enough to not allow Corporate greedy America or any other national corporation rob me of what my heart and soul were created to serve. I like the reframes of National Mothers Day!!!
You spoke of your mother; yet I missed hearing about you as mother. How beautifully you nurture the people, places, and planet of which you are surrounded. Somehow, in your own mother’s weaknesses, a determination was passed down to you…to make a difference, to lead with compassion, to live with discernment, and to soften into forgiveness. In these ways, she gave you compassion and empathy; part of the gifts that you bring to this world. In this way, the generational legacy gifts live on through you.
With that said, Happy Mothers’ Day to one of the most caring, brilliant, and courageous nurturers I know.
Thank you, Ann, for your wonderful response. I think your simple gift of compassion - accompanied by chocolate covered strawberries - illustrates the true notion of mothering. And yes, I am still uncovering the gifts from my relationship with my mother. As you know, the journey of the mother and daughter dance is complicated by so many factors.
So poignant and encouraging because each of us, child and parent/ grandparent/ aunt/ mentor have conflicted lives to reconcile to our expectations or dreams. May we learn to give ourselves time and credit and forgiveness .
I love the column with which you begin this piece, Sue. For those among us who experienced challenging home environments as children, it is indeed a long work of growth and maturity to reach that realization with something like grace for one's mom.
When you write of your life experience with all the vulnerability life entails, I learn not just about you but about me too. Thanks for sharing.
thank you, Barbara! To a writer that is a wonderful compliment.
I also abhor the commercialization of special days. Celebration of these times should come from our hearts and spending time with others, not, as you mention, buying things or empty repeated phrases. How we carry on should not be held hostage to a single declared day. It should be any day or all days. Thank you for this insightful and thoughtful writing.
" how we carry on should not be held hostage to a single declared day" I couldn't agree more.
I appreciate your inclusion regarding the original intent for Mothers’ Day. That intent more aptly communicates the role of women as beings who nurture and water the earth. The courage, compassion, beauty, energy, and creativity that we lend to the world is a part of our purpose and what we have come here to do. We are indeed a ferocious breed. Heck yeah: we deserve a day!
Then there is the more specific definition of mother as women giving birth to sons and daughters. Sadly, the traumas of this broken world, which, by the way include the greed perpetuated by corporate America, often snuff out the purposes and/or ability of some mothers to serve their heart’s journey well. This role of biological mothering often carries a lot of sorrow. Mother’s Day often rubs against the forever-lasting scar tissue of disappointment, heartbreak, failure, or loss. I suppose in this vein, flowers or fragrance may touch the pain with a small dose of sweetness.
This morning, I walked across the street with chocolate covered strawberries for my elderly neighbor who lost a son to a drunk driver 30 years ago. Just a knock on her door to say I see you, I know you, I care about you, and I am with you today. The chocolate covered strawberries were only a symbol meant to convey that care and concern. Of course, the hug and the kiss upon the cheek was probably enough, but she did tell me anything with chocolate makes her happy and thus, I do think I noticed a twinkle in her eye return even in her sadness.
This day that is set aside to create an opportunity to acknowledge the sisterhood of women and all that we do is worth celebrating. I’m feisty enough to not allow Corporate greedy America or any other national corporation rob me of what my heart and soul were created to serve. I like the reframes of National Mothers Day!!!
You spoke of your mother; yet I missed hearing about you as mother. How beautifully you nurture the people, places, and planet of which you are surrounded. Somehow, in your own mother’s weaknesses, a determination was passed down to you…to make a difference, to lead with compassion, to live with discernment, and to soften into forgiveness. In these ways, she gave you compassion and empathy; part of the gifts that you bring to this world. In this way, the generational legacy gifts live on through you.
With that said, Happy Mothers’ Day to one of the most caring, brilliant, and courageous nurturers I know.
Thank you, Ann, for your wonderful response. I think your simple gift of compassion - accompanied by chocolate covered strawberries - illustrates the true notion of mothering. And yes, I am still uncovering the gifts from my relationship with my mother. As you know, the journey of the mother and daughter dance is complicated by so many factors.
So poignant and encouraging because each of us, child and parent/ grandparent/ aunt/ mentor have conflicted lives to reconcile to our expectations or dreams. May we learn to give ourselves time and credit and forgiveness .
Those are the best gifts we can give ourselves. Thank you for you thoughts.