Oh, Mother!

 

Upon awakening, I was confident I could get through this first Mother'sDay without my momma. I wore my own "Mother's Necklace" and my mom's "Mother's Ring" to church. 

But I confess. I was sobbing before I left the driveway. So much for being strong! When I got to church, thank goodness my friend Kelly, also experiencing her first Mother's Day without her mom, gave me half her tissues. Because you know, every reading and song (and that dang Mother's Day video) will remind you of Mom!

God, bless my amazing husband for trying to keep me positively occupied all day!

Got home from church and this adorable balloon was floating in the kitchen...

Anchored by these gorgeous flowers! I was going to say Tulips but the last time I called flowers that, this black-thumbed momma was corrected. So let's just call them beautiful.

After asking me yesterday where I wanted to enjoy a Mother's Day brunch, I had a few places in mind. But then, on our drive home, we remember Two Lakes is open on Sundays now. One check to see if today counted and we were on our way.

They had a special Mother's Day menu but all I cared was that they now serve their beyond amazing Coconut Shrimp every day. Happy Mother's Day to me!

Later this afternoon, we ventured over to TriCity for some Mother's Day golf. 

I love that all of us Foxy Mamas could golf. But it didn't take long for me to realize my spirit wasn't in it. Nothing spoils that good walk like bad – or in my case, sad – attitude. We did have some fun. But I was dropping tears more often than I was dropping putts.

A year ago, all 8 of us R's gathered to clean out Mom's apartment since she was actually excited to move into the nursing home part of the hospital in Grantsburg. She was excited to have a roommate, too, after living by herself since Dad died 10+ years earlier. We were happy for her acceptance about moving out of her apartment. And really thought we'd be seeing her in the home for quite some time.

The quick, downward slide of her health after Mother's Day shocked me and devastated me. 

While it officially hasn't been 365 days since Mom's passing, nothing impacts me more than missing her today – Mother's Day. 

My only saving grace really, is that I got to hug the one flesh-and-blood baby that is mine yesterday. 💜

Happy Mother's Day to all of you missing your mom for the first (or many) time. And to you who have kids, wanted children, lost babies, act as an inspiration to a young person, or serve as a mentor to ANYONE. This day belongs to all of us. 

No shame. Embrace the love!