Mother’s Day during the pandemic. I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Honestly, many Mother’s Days in our home pass without too much fanfare. My own Mom is no longer alive and some years are harder than others. It’s also one of the busiest days of the year at our family’s restaurant, and often that is the focus. More years than not I spend working at the restaurant just to help be sure people are happy. (This doesn’t really bother me. I always say those are the kind of days that pay my kids’ college tuition. This year it’s more like my mortgage, but you get the idea.) I worked this year as well.
It may not surprise you that the gifts I often enjoy most are cards. Taking time to write someone a meaningful note is a rare treasure. I’ve gotten several amazing cards and letters from my kids in the past years. When my youngest asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day, I said “fifteen pound dumbbells” with a belly laugh. Stores have been out of fitness equipment for months since many have set up home gyms during corona. But then I just told her my real answer: a card. Honestly, I don’t expect anything, especially right now.
So the night before Mother’s Day, when my son asked me if I would be around in the morning, I had no idea what to expect. There would be a delivery, he said. I was touched by the very thought that he would have something delivered. I figured maybe it would be flowers, since I do have a great love for unique blooms. I was floored when a bag was dropped on my doorstep and I pulled out this amazing super sparkly tumbler he had made just for me. Yes, it’s awesome and I love the Georgia Bulldogs. But even more amazing is the fact that only about 5 days earlier I had complained about needing a bigger insulated cup to increase my water consumption. My workplace closure has brought my water intake way down since I don’t have my infused water any longer. So not only is it a personal design, it showed that he heard me and responded. What a heartwarming gift!
My middle daughter made our whole family dinner on the Monday after Mother’s Day. She made tacos, which are my food love language. Fresh guacamole, all the fixin, and she is a healthy eater herself so it was all more or less in my eating goals. Even protein baked goods for dessert! She also gave me some lovely hydrangeas, some of my favorite flowers, and a candle in my second favorite scent. (That’s a story for another post). Finally, a card with all kinds of beautiful words. It was a beautiful, thoughtful evening.
Lastly, in an unexpected turn, my youngest walks in the house with a pair of…you guessed it…15 pound dumbbells. I was in shock. She went to two stores…the first had nothing. The second had all of 3 dumbbells and unbelievably they were fifteen pounders. Ah-May-Zing. !!!! I’ve already used them several times. Yay for less frustration in workouts.
Of course I saved all the cute little handprint and rhyme Mother’s Day gifts from their elementary school days. They are precious! But to be heard, seen, and known as an individual with interests, goals, and preferences by my kids is a different sort of celebration, and in some ways all that much sweeter.
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