Four Generations for Mother's Day

On Mother’s Day, I am very thankful that I still have my Mom. I am also very aware that there are many who do not, and I send a prayer out to them each year. Our mothers are the foundation on which our life has been built. They are our strength, our joy and our comfort when we need it. I can only imagine how empty Mother’s Day must feel when you no longer have her there.

This year I was blessed to spend time with four generations on Mother’s Day. There was my Mother, three of her 6 children, my daughters and grandchildren, and one nephew mixed in with all these women. I do think he truly enjoyed the day with family in spite of being the only male other than my  grandson. The only thing that could make it better would be having all my siblings along their children and grandchildren, but as we all know there is sometimes too much distance to travel.

There were no big activities planned for the day, and this truly made for a relaxing day of catching up and enjoying good food. Telling tales from years ago, showing pictures and having a good laugh. Noticing how much we all resemble certain relatives and each other; and the family traits and quirks that seem to be passed down from one generation to another. There are too many similarities to deny we are all related.  

There was the joy of listening to the grandchildren as they played on the sun porch.  Most of it happy sounds with an occasional attempt to tattle on someone who may be teasing the others a bit too much. They do get a bit rough and tumble from time to time, but as long as nobody gets hurt, and the noise level stays at a decibel that we can talk over, then we will survive the chaotic play. Eventually they make their way outside to play in my Mother’s bird bath and rock garden. I thought they had returned everything to its rightful place, but found out later that she found some of her rocks piled on the corner of the deck.

Sitting back and listening to the sounds of the conversations brings a sense of peace; like you are being embraced in the warmth of family. I can think of no better way to spend Mother’s Day, and hope that there will be many more years that the generations can come together. Giving each other a sense of belonging and comfort to bring home at the end of the day is a very special gift.