I had long given up on having the perfect Mother's Day. I was never one to want for luxuries or niceties, or anything lavish. I don't believe that Mother's Day is about jewelry or lavish gifts. It's about simplicity. It's about being with children and parents and taking time to slow down and enjoy the best of things around us. That's all I ever wanted - even when the children were small - especially when the children were small. My favorite Mother's Day of all time was 16 years ago - I didn't have a child yet, but I learned that I was about to. Yesterday was second best only to that one.
When the children were young I yearned for a moment to reflect - to sit for a moment, uninterrupted, or perhaps to take a long hot bath without screaming and shouting in the background, or a little one barging in on me. The children are older now and, for the most part, when I tell them to give me 5, 10 or 20 minutes of peace and quiet they are happy to oblige. Downtime, as we learn when we become mothers is truly life's greatest luxury.
I grew up not celebrating Mother's Day. My mother, and her mother, never believed in the day - "Every day is Mother's Day" were sentiments they echoed. But I also believe that children should understand how much their mothers do for them and sacrifice for them. And I do think it's nice for the children to give back - of course they need to be old enough to "get it" - and my youngest doesn't yet, nor should he.
On Saturday evening, exhausted after a long and busy day, I crawled onto my bed with my iPad to catch up on my lasted Netflix addiction. I heard noise and laughter and general business in the kitchen. I then heard, "Quick, grab the vacuum!" I chuckled. I thought that they were making breakfast - muffins or something for the following morning. They were working together and very little yelling was being directed at my youngest!
The following morning I padded my way into the kitchen and found the following note attached to my espresso machine:
GO TO YOUR BED!
GO TO YOUR BED!
SERIOUSLY
YOU CAN'T BE IN THE FAMILY ROOM
BUT WE LOVE YOU AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!
I made my cappuccino and brought it back to bed. It was 5:30 am. There are worse things than binge watching your latest addiction on Mother's Day morning!
The kids got up and brought the following to me:
They created that menu the night before. Now, that's what I'm talking about. That's creativity!
I opted for the omelette and had some feta, peppers and scallions added to it. I also requested a clementine and some raspberries. My daughter made the eggs. They were fantastic!
Not a drop was left!
My youngest one had been working on a special something for me in school and he was dying to give it to me! It's Monet's flower garden, can't you tell?!
While the children were making their own breakfast and cleaning the kitchen I got dressed and headed out for a long walk around the harbor and the beach. It's one of my most favorite routes. I had to stop and take a few pictures along the way.
The sky was right blue and clear as far as the eye could see. They sun shone down brightly. I wish I could have captured the sounds of the gentle breezes, the birds, the people and children - I wish I could have captured the smells of the warm morning after a heavy rain, the freshly cut grasses, hyacinths, tulip trees, cherry blossoms and all the other fragrant blooms. I wish I could have captured the feel of the warm, morning sun and gentle sea-side breezes...
Isn't it wonderful? This is a tiny glimpse into my small sea-side town. This is why I chose to live where I do. For 6 months of the year this is what I get to enjoy on an almost daily basis. My morning walks energize me, ground me, rejuvenate me and although I have a quick pace, they slow me down. I can vary up my route so that it's anywhere from 2 to 7 miles - depending on how much time I have. I can vary them so that I see something new and different every time. Who needs therapy when you have this?!
I got home with about 40 minutes to spare before the children and I headed out to lunch. To my amazement they had all showered and were all dressed - perfectly dressed. When we got to the restaurant, we were seated outside and as we waited for our beverages to arrive my daughter handed over 3 handmade cards and a bag with two jars inside. One was for a lemon facial salt scrub and the other was a brown sugar body scrub. They searched online and in the cabinets and came up with something, clever, creative and completely unexpected! Our lunch was lovely and I treated myself to a sangria and when we were done our hearts were and our bellies were full!
Later that afternoon I took a little siesta on the hammock outside... but it got to be too hot! (I should bite my tongue, I know!)
And so I grabbed my 13 year old to help me move the furniture to the screened-in porch... love-seat, rug, pillows, radio and iced tea - I settled on to the couch, ready to relax some more when my littlest one said "Mom!" in a panicked and nervous manner. "Look," and he pointed to where there was an opening in between some of the rocks on the porch floor. It seemed that we were about to be joined by hundreds and hundreds of swarming termites! And let me tell you, that scream, I am sure, was heard many towns away! It should also be noted that Raid ant spray works on termites ... now, off to call the Pest control people!
I hope you all had a lovely weekend!
