A bittersweet day…

By gracefully50

Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.  ~Linda Wooten

I lost my mother to cancer in August of 1993…she was only 54.   My hero.  I miss you so much.

On a sweet note…in honor of Mother’s Day, I have guest contributors…my son & daughter.

 A word or two about mother…

As people may know, Google has infiltrated American vocabulary with its success as a global search engine. It isn’t that uncommon to hear people throw out the word “google” amidst a conversation not as a reference to a company, but a verb meaning “to search.” Let’s be honest, I feel like we’ve all googled ourselves to see how relevant we were in the scheme of things. Some singletons out there might have googled a blind date in lieu of a background check. It’s extraordinarily easy to do. That being said, I didn’t realize that Google itself was none to happy to have this achievement unwillingly thrust upon them. Having happened to so many other pioneering companies such as Hoover (more synonymous with “vacuum” than the brand itself) and Band-aid (which I often use to refer to anything that will cover up a scratch or cut or even a short term solution for a problem), they probably felt that their name might fall into the ranks of the generic and their name would lose it’s value.

I know…what does any of this have to do with mother? There are few words in the English language that remain constant in use and meaning. But “mother” certainly is not one of them. It has been around since the beginning of language and has not deviated in meaning for thousands of years, especially in the sense that most of us use it today. Sadly, it’s meaning has only been recently recognized by myself. Although I like to view myself as completely independent, I see myself constantly reminded of my mother. Having just left home after a recent visit with my family, I noticed that my clothes weren’t quite as soft and scented as they are when my mom does them despite using the same fabric softener as she does. Although I’ve seen her do it a million times and know exactly what ingredients are in it, my omelets are always missing something and never quite taste as good. After months of training my hair stylist on the do’s and don’ts of styling my hair, it’s never quite as good as a cut from mom. No matter how far away from home I might be, reminders of her follow me everywhere I go.

This seems like a dislocated comparison between the word “google” and the word “mother,” but I assure you that it isn’t. When I use the word “google,” I admit that I am using it as a generic form of the word “search” regardless of what search engine you pledge loyalty to. That is a mistake that should never be made with “mother.” A “mother” isn’t simply a label for a woman in relation to a child. It means so much more than that. In my experience, my mother is someone who has and will be an integral part of my life no matter how old I am or where I am located. She’s the person who would stop at nothing to afford me the best possible care and boundless affection as a child. No matter how idiotic I behave or how poor my judgment is, she never thinks any less of me as a person. I know I can count on her when all others have abandoned me. There are few people in this world that you could say that about.

So, on this auspicious day, I’d like to thank my mother for all that she has done and will do for me. I want you to know how grateful I am to call you my mother, and I want you to know how much you mean to me and our family will never be lost. Although googling themselves may be an easy task for most, I’d like to see someone try and mother themselves. It would be an impossible task at best.

PS. I am in no way referring to the connotation of “google” that was implied in the T-shirt I recently purchased and featured on my mother’s blog.    ~ Matt

 

 

 

 

To my wonderful Mom,

Happy Mother’s Day!  God truly blessed me with the best mother a daughter can hope for, and there’s not a day that passes that I don’t realize how lucky I am to have you in my life. I can’t imagine where I would be without your wisdom and guidance the past 23 years.  Whether its your input on my clothes or my terrible haircuts to the more serious life decisions I’ve had to face,  you’ve never left my side or led me down the wrong path.  Words can never describe just how important you are to me. You’re an inspiration as a wife and as a mother,  you are someone I hope to become one day.  If I ever have a daughter, I can only hope to have half the patience and grace that you’ve shown me.  Happy Mother’s Day to my very special Mom, my shopping buddy, and my best friend.  I love you!   ~Jordan

My pride and joy.  I love you both more than life itself.   ~Mom

Have a wonderful Mother’s Day everyone!

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52 thoughts on “A bittersweet day…”

  6. Can I come be one of your kids….sister even????? To be so loved and so loving…….You are indeed so very blessed.

  8. Thank you for sharing your wonderful tribute to your Mother. I know it can make Mother’s Day a bittersweet day.

    elisa

    P.S. Your family is BEAUTIFUL!!

  10. Thank you, Matt and Jordan! i had a feeling already that she is a pretty special lady – but your sweet and thoughtful words just gave that a boost! Happy Mother’s Day, Jeannie! You rock, gorgeous lady!

  11. Happy Mother’s Day Grace! I’m so sorry you lost your mom! It looks like you are carrying on her legacy beautifully….what precious children you have! Big honkin’ hug to you this Mother’s Day! ~Serene

    • Oh, I’m so sorry Rachel. I can’t believe how many of us have lost our moms to cancer..
      Your mom must have been so young!

      I hope your Mother’s Day with your daughters was a special one. ❤

  14. Your children’s comments brought tears. What a wonderful tribute they’ve given you. I could especially relate to your son’s comment about the fabric softener. It made me think of my something my youngest son said to me once. 🙂
    You’re very blessed.
    Happy Mother’s Day. ♥

  16. What a great tribute from your children! I, too, understand the bittersweet . . . my own mother died in 1983 after battling diabetes at the age of 54; and my stepmother died in 2011 after what was suppose to be fairly a routine surgical procedure (she never left the hospital and died 10 days after the surgery–she and my dad were married almost 32 years). She was 86. I loved them and miss them both very, very, very, very much.

    • Hi Sarah,
      I know it was a difficult day for you as well. It would be sadder if we didn’t miss them….
      It helps me to know that I’ll be reunited with her one day.
      Thank you for taking the time to share your story with me.

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  18. This is a touching and beautiful post. You are blessed with loving, thoughtful children and they are an expression of your motherly love that was passed down from your mom. The legacy continues and I’m happy we connected. 🙂 Eliz
    ღ˚ •。* ♥ ˚ ˚✰˚ ˛★* 。 ღ˛° 。* °♥ ˚ • ★ *˚ .ღ 。*˛˚ღ •˚ ˚…Sending sprinkles of Love to all: Happy Mother’s Day! ˚ ✰* ★
    ˚. ★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。˚ ˚ღ。* ˛˚ ♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★ღ ˚ 。✰ •* ˚ ♥

  19. Pingback: Inspiration: Happy Mother’s Day… | Mirth and Motivation

  20. I actually came online today to wish you a happy mother’s day, and then I read the sweet writings of your kids. I feel the same way about my mom as your daughter wrote, and I really liked the text your son has written. Beautiful kids you have there! I cannot give my mom all she deserves, but right now we are making her a lovely breakfast (tradition) and I try to be there for her, not only today. I hope you have a great day with your family!

    • Hi Iris!
      It’s very sweet of you to make her breakfast…my daughter and hubby did the same for me! Enjoy your mom. Spending time is far more precious than things.
      Thank you for thinking of me. I hope you had a wonderful day with your mom! ❤

  21. I lost my mother to cancer in the age of 23, but still she managed to make me, who I am, before leaving.

    Lovely kids you have.

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  24. I lost my mother three years ago, but actually lost seven years ago, when Alzheimer’s was that I recognized. The fact so much. Beautiful post. Congratulations for having so few children. The mine also are great.

  25. Thanks for posting this. It’s so sweet your kids posted this to you as well. As for your own mother, I understand very well what you must’ve feeling, my mother died when she was 39 from a sudden heart attack, but I am also a mother and so today I am focused not on the loss but the joy of my daughter and the joy of the memories of an amazing mother, I consider myself profoundly lucky to gave had the time with her that I did. Happy mother’s day.

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