Sunday, May 11, 2008

Mother's Day

The concept of Mother's Day is only just starting to "set in". Despite having a 7 year old daughter, giving me 7 years to get used to this idea, I usually still think about my Mom and picture our brunches we used to have when I was growing up; and the tea or breakfast I would try to make for her when she awoke. It meant a day to say thanks, and have some nice celebration...

As for myself, I am learning slowing about how this day through my kid's eyes and not my own.

This morning, I got up to my daughter handing me a lovely poster that had designs all over and read "MOM" she also wrote a note saying happy mothers day. My son had already given me a special plant that he made during school two days ago. (I have to back track since for most of last week I was away on a business trip; and thus could not spend the "Mothers Day Tea" with Alec at his school on Friday morning.)

Back to today, my son was still kind of confused that his school's Mothers Day Tea was spent with my Mom, instead of me so he was not sure why Bella was saying Happy Mothers day; but he obliged and gave me a hug anyways.

After breakfast in our library, we went about our normal day, hangin outside, gardening, weeding, enjoying coffee in the sun and munching some yummy snacks that was partially due to some wonderful gifts friends from Holland brought over (winegums, stroopwaffels...) and homemade banana cardamom bread. We also wished Happy Mom Day to the other mothers in our family, (Oma & Pumpkin, we love you!!)

Towards the end of the day after a not so cool cooking experiment (homemade wheat pasta was GREAT; but no one but me loves a fresh cherry tomatoes pasta toss) I gave the kids a shower, got them ready for bed and checked Isabella's folder from school to clean it out for Monday...

I found a lovely, surprising project she had worked on; which really made me pause and basically stopped me in my tracks.

Her project was to fill in some blanks at school regarding her Mom. Much of what she wrote was so different that I would have anticipated; yet at the same time, it was so Isabella. More importantly, and perhaps surprisingly, it made me realize how she may see me.

It made me understand more about today; its not about the brunches, dinners, or flowers etc. it is about the art of Mom, the love we receive and appreciating that amazing bond between parents and children.



To all moms, hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day!