Happy Mother’s Day, everyone! To all my readers who are mom’s, I hope you enjoy your special day. 🙂

By caring and nurturing your families you shape the world for future generations. No small feat by any means! My hat’s off to you and your amazing children. 🙂

The most widely read post I ever wrote was Regaining Joy After The Loss Of My Mother. Therefore, I know that many of you struggle with days such as Mother’s Day. I will not try to sugar coat the realities of life after the loss of a loved one or tell you if you follow steps AB and C you will magically feel no sense of pain or loss on a holiday or special occasion. I will tell you that over time days such as Mother’s Day become great days to fondly remember and honor those whom we have loved and are no longer with us. Also, I want to assure you that as time goes the sense of loss becomes less and feelings of joy increase. I thought that I would share with you some of my personal reflections of my loss as well as my  plans for Mother’s Day. I hope that if you need encouragement  or comfort you can find some in my  reflections and thoughts.

I would also like to mention that while I am Christian, I realize that some of my readers may not be Christian or of any particular faith at all.  Please adjust my words to fit your personal situation if you find anything of use or value.

My own mother passed away just before Mother’s Day in 2003. In fact, the very last thing she did attend a Mother’s Day dinner at church with my sister and nieces. She had mentioned the event to me but  added  that she did not mind if I chose not attend. I declined the offer. I was always worried about being prepared for school in those days and did not want to go out on a school night. You know if I could go back in time I would change that decision in a heart beat. By all accounts of those who were there, my mother had a wonderful evening. My friend Elaine said that her mother even commented  to Elaine on how radiant my mom looked that evening. Almost as if she had a glow about her. Later that evening my mom was gone. Looking back, I believe it is truly beautiful that my mom spent her last evening on earth in a church surrounded by most of her family and a community of friends that cared about her honoring motherhood. It is a perfect close to a well lived life.

As time has moved on I truly feel my mother’s influence in my life. I have begun to realize that I am my mother’s daughter and I take great pride in that fact. When my mom was alive we did not always see eye to eye and there were times when we frustrated each other. With her passing these differences have been minimized and the love that existed between us is what remains with me. With each year I mature I see more clearly the sacrifices she made on behalf of me and my sister as well as the incredible strength and courage she possessed. I also see a divine beauty and grace in motherhood that transcends any individual mother. This divine motherhood is represented to me in Mary, the mother of my Lord. Others may see divine motherhood in different ways but it is there to for those who are open to experience it and it is beautiful.

This Mother’s Day is going to be cold and snowy in Colorado so I will be spending a great deal of the day indoors. While I have a lot to do around the house, and yes, get ready for school on Monday, I am not going to make the mistake of being to busy for mom again. So this of my personal list of what I am going to do this Mother’s Day.

• Go to church and give thanks for my mom, for Mary saying yes to God, and mothers everywhere.
• Drink some coffee. ( My mom’s favorite beverage!)
• Watch a murder mystery. ( My mom’s favorite genre and a hobby with shared.)
• Cuddle with the afghan my mom made me shortly before she passed away.
• Take time to remember all the wonderful memories I have of mom and look through some photo albums.
• Renew my commitment to honor my mom by the life I lead.
• Find things to make me laugh, smile, and find beauty in life. Every mom wants their child to be happy.

Thanks for stopping by. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this post, please feel free to share it with them. 🙂

Until next time,

Laura