Sunday, May 12

I am going to start by saying, Mother’s Day is not my favorite day of the year. I really don’t look forward to it and don’t like having attention focused on me.

I prefer celebrating my birthday, because I had nothing to do with my birth. I enjoy celebrating my life and doing it with family.

Each year I hear sermons, thoughts and all the things people say about their wonderful mothers that make me feel inadequate. It is one of the few days in a year that I struggle with discouragement. I remember all the times I failed as a mother – even though I feel like I tried my best during each time period, apologized when necessary and went to God for wisdom.

I am comfortable writing this, because I hear the same thing from other mothers of grown children.

I liked what our minister, Jon, said yesterday. “Never forget, you are not called to be a perfect mother or to raise perfect children.”

I am not comfortable that our children have to figure out a way to “honor” me even though being their mother has been my favorite job in the whole world. I never had a fulltime job other than mothering until our three oldest were married and Deb was a teenager – and then I worked with Cerwin out of our home office with TFC (now TFC Global).

I would rather celebrate our children, their birthdays and the amazing jobs they have done in growing into responsible adults – not without struggles and setbacks. I am prouder of them than I am of me.

Okay, enough of that I will show you what our children did to bless their mom this year.

The first gift arrived on Friday evening.

As soon as I saw Martha, the young delivery woman, who usually lives in Maine, but is currently staying with her grandparents. I knew the gift was from Diane. 🙂

Martha’s grandmother Mary Kathryn is known for her beautiful flower arrangements.

Thanks, Diane. I love you.

As the flowers open, the bouquet is getting prettier by the day.

Jeff stopped in on Saturday morning with this pretty begonia and cream pitcher.

I particularly liked that he stayed and visited for about an hour. Visits are my favorite gift.

This photo taken the next day – in better lighting – is more accurate in coloring. Thank you, Jeff. I love you. I will plant it outside when the weather is warmer.

Jere came early Sunday morning – before we and they listened to online worship services. The card on the left is from his and Kristen’s children.

I told Jere that I will not forget this, and if it takes too long for restaurants to open, we can go somewhere for curbside delivery. He also stayed and visited awhile. What fun. Thank you, Jere. I love you.

The next gift was from Cerwin – Sunday lunch at Olive Garden – my restaurant of choice. They were quite busy and very organized for curbside delivery.

Delivery people were quite busy.

It was fun unpacking our large bag after we got home. They have a great salad setup. The lid has indentations for each item – croutons, dressing and two mints.

I didn’t realize that bread sticks came with each meal – so ordered some. We had 14 bread sticks. 🙂 Most went into the freezer for future meals.

Cerwin ordered lasagna – his favorite Olive Garden entrée.

I ordered shrimp fettucine – my very favorite Olive Garden meal.

Thank you, Cerwin. I love you!

We discussed the fact that neither of us have a mother to visit and honor for Mother’s Day.

We hadn’t heard anything from Deb, so I wasn’t surprised when she, Roy and their friend Katie showed up bearing gifts on Sunday afternoon. (Deb enjoys making a big deal out of Mother’s Day.) I told them they looked like a bunch of bandits.

They didn’t have time to stay long – for two reasons – they stopped to help a young girl who fell while skateboarding and needed help with all the bleeding. Their next appointment was to pick up a baby possum that needed rescued. This is why I said, I am pleased that our children have grown up to be responsible adults.

The one bag was filled with food and the basket was filled with birdseed, suet (she likes to make sure our birds don’t starve), pastry, a cleaner (so we don’t get the virus), and a new microwave container.

Thank you Deb – and company. I love you.

It was a delightful Mother’s Day.