Reflections on Mother’s Day

The celebration of Mother’s Day in my life is very different now. When my sons were young, it meant church in the morning followed by lunch, usually with friends. There was a group who lunched together most weeks after service. The idea of going someplace nice to honor the moms was inevitably quashed because seating for 20 people or more was almost impossible. One year, we ended up at a hamburger joint; I told a guy lamenting the lack of service that mothers really value their children being real and not artificial and we would choose to rejoice in seeing our kiddos be themselves. His wife agreed.

The season of my life now is radically different. Both my grown sons are married and the older one has children. The other son lives in a far-off state. He and his wife always remember me with a gift of flowers and I am grateful for their love and affection. I encourage my older son to honor his wife as their 4 young children daily take up much of her time and energy. She is a great mom, studying her children, learning about them and loving them. Their family spent Mother’s Day at the beach by her choice. They arrived home late, everyone joyful, tired, sandy and hungry. A quick supper, showers, baths and bed followed.

My day this year was blessedly quiet but also unnerving. Each time I tried to call my mother, there was no answer. My sister assured me she had her cell phone in her purse on her walker but she never picked up. I suspect she forgot to turn it on in the morning. I cannot remember ever NOT talking to my mother on Mother’s Day. She is 90 and moved to the skilled nursing section of her retirement community not long ago because of concerns about falling and memory. My sister will investigate when she visits her this week.

I feel disconnected this week but I believe it is God’s merciful way of preparing me for what will come eventually when my mother’s life here ends and she goes on to be with her family and friends already with the Lord. It will be glorious for her; family and other loved ones who have gone on before will greet her. She will meet the generations that have gone before and accepted the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood for their sins. Those of us who remain behind will miss her greatly but her release from a failing body and mind will be a relief to us all. And we have His promise of reuniting in His presence when our time comes.

In the meanwhile, I will enjoy the moments with my family, especially my grandchildren. They are truly a delight, all 4 of them. The youngest who is 3 years old reflects his family position by understanding and correctly using the word “hilarious” amongst others.  His vocabulary is expansive for his age because of having older siblings and those words make one choke back giggles because the cuteness factor is overwhelming. The older ones are such fun to be with.

I am blessed this week to be a daughter, mother and grandmother. Thank you God for my family.