With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about the women in my life. My mom, my aunt, my grandma, my friends. I think about how they have helped shape me into the mother I am now. I have learned many a lesson from these women. These women have guided me, and they have encouraged me.
Now I realize that Mother’s Day is sometimes hard for people. Some of my friends have lost their mothers. Or, some of my friends do not have good relationships with their moms. Then I think of my other friends and family who have lost children, or those who want them and cannot have them. This means that Mother’s Day may also bring a bit of pain along with its happiness. So, I’d really like to honor those women.
How?
By sharing a memory.
And-I ask you all to join in with me! My original plan was to share a list of places some of my friends have loved going to with their mom. While collecting my data (because I like to sound professional), I realized these places conjured up wonderful memories. Memories are what we have to hold on to. Sometimes they are painful, sometimes they are happy. Sometimes they bring us back to the time and place the original event happened. That’s the beauty of it.
I’ll start. My daughter is 12, and for many of you, you can probably imagine what life is like in a house with a pre-teen girl. (She’ll be 13 in 5 months!!) I’m also a single mom, with a 6 year old son. I have 2 jobs (or 3, if you count this one as well), I homeschool my daughter, I volunteer at my son’s school, and at church as well. Suffice to say, my life is busy. In this busy-ness of life, I remember back to a time when I was an angry teenager. I didn’t show my feelings very often, and I wasn’t showing them one particular day. My mom asked what was wrong. She said she couldn’t help if I didn’t tell her why I was mad. And she was right. So, as she was cooking dinner, I let her know why I was upset. She listened, and I instantly felt better. To this day I remember that feeling I had. I felt important. It’s that memory of value and worth I desire to give to my own daughter. So, thank you Mom for that.
I’d also like to share a memory of my grandma and of my aunt, because they have been like moms to me as well.
My grandma use to take me shopping on a regular basis. One of my favorite memories was when we’d go to the mall (or go to “town” as she called it), and we’d eat at Carl’s Jr. (Anyone else remember when Carl’s Jr. was inside Fashion Fair?) She’d always be done with her hamburger first, but she’d sit and wait for me ever so patiently. She’d ask me about school, or just chit chat. It was our time together, and it was the best. Again, this is another lesson I try to take away. The time I spend with my daughter doesn’t have to happen at a fancy place. No, quality time can happen anywhere, as long I’m engaging with her.
Now a memory about my aunt. I use to go down to San Diego and visit my aunt every summer. I loved those visits because I got to spend time with her and with my cousins. On those visits, I remember how my aunt use to let me stay up late with her, after my cousins had went to bed. It was special time we would have, just talking, with no interruptions. It sure was nice being the oldest! 😉 Another good life lesson here-remember to take time with my daughter, just the two of us!
See how memories can be a wonderful thing?!
Now, before I leave, I’d like to share with you the places that my friends have loved going to with their mom’s. (Because I did ask, and I think I should share.)
- Fresno Chaffee Zoo, to roll down the hill. In fact, my friend now takes her kids there to roll down that same hill. And guess what? That’s one of my favorite places too! You guys all know the hill we’re talking about-the hill behind the bird show. Well, back in the day, that was part of the entrance to the zoo. So before going in, all us kids would roll down the hill. It’s still a blast to this day.
- Storyland & Playland. Yes! This is another one of my favorite places! (I’m sad it’s closed. Maybe we can help keep it open?)
- Millerton Lake. I’ve been there on a houseboat-ages ago, but still. I bet my kids would love a visit!
- Simonian Farms. Can you believe I’ve never been there?! I’ve also not ever been to Yosemite, but hopefully that will change.
Where are some places you’ve liked going to with your mom? What memories do these places conjure up? Because, it’s not about where we go, it’s about who we go with, right? 🙂
So, on this Mother’s Day, I honor the mom’s in my life. I also honor those who are hurting , and those who may find this day difficult. To everyone I say, hold tight to those memories, and celebrate!
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