<p>I too am glad it is over. I like holiday decorations, and I like the religious significance of our holidays, but I do not like the actual day. I think women are stuck with an incredible amount of responsibility and work to make sure holidays go “right”. My H moans for weeks ahead of time about eating at my parents. (we live all of a mile away). He’s not all that sociable with my 2 older sons or their girlfriends. Once you make it through the day, all the cleanup is looming overhead.</p>
<p>Yesterday started particularly poorly at church. 20 minutes into Mass, a family with 4 kids < age 4 piled into the pew in front of us. 1 hour of constantly whining, banging Mattel cars into the wooden pew, and throwing gummy bears and Nerds and bouncing them off the pew. They complete ruined any attempt to listen to Mass. </p>
<p>Even worse, the parents lovingly patted their little heads and shoulders whenever they did any action. Completely oblivious to the fact their little brats were ruining church for anyone in a 5 pew radius. I didn’t get up at 6 a.m. to visit a day care center!! Which…btw, Catholic churches should have nurseries. I have never understood why they do not. Or at least our region does not.</p>
<p>I always worked myself to the bone to make every holiday, including Easter, special for my girls. Now they are out and neither could make it home for Easter. I have never been so depressed in my life. I’m so glad it’s over.</p>
<p>Now, what do we empty nesters (with dead mothers) do for Mother’s Day? Another depressing day to get through. I’d love ideas.</p>
<p>Do what I have done every mothers day. Get together with another mom and celebrate each others “fantastic-ness”. For us (myself and a few other friends) it involves a trip to someplace fun, like a gallery, or a play and several “beverages” as well as a taxi, so we can enjoy our exquisite selves without drinking and driving.
Just don’t go to a restaurant. All the amateur eaters are out that day.</p>
<p>Yes, I am glad the holiday is over. I do not have any family, but my H does and I do Easter every year. I was exhausted last night. I spent several days cleaning and cooking and really didn’t have time to enjoy it. I went to early Mass, so I could get home to get ready for everyone. Now, Mother’s Day is special. My H and I get up, go to church and then he and I go out for breakfast at my favorite place. Because there are just the two of us, we get seated right away at the breakfast bar. We are leaving and those large groups are still waiting. I love it! I always call my kids up and thank them for not coming over!! They do head over later in the day and we do a quick cookout - another of my favorite things. As I tell my kids, they honor me every day by being outstanding young adults, I don’t need them to do anything special for me on Mother’s Day. That is one of my least favorite days (next to Halloween and New Year’s Eve).</p>
<p>I am so glad it’s over. My Dad passed away rather unexpectedly two weeks ago and neither of my kids could make it home for Easter. I spent the day at my sister’s house although she had to work and her husband made the dinner. Very depressing and heart breaking to watch my mom try to be strong when we knew she just wanted to cry.</p>
<p>Holidays can be difficult for so many people. We live 800 miles from family, thankfully we have some dear friends who we have gotten together with on Easter and Thanksgiving for over 25 years. But on Christmas we are almost always alone, going to visit the families does not work well (we have tried it), so I can totally relate to those who have lonely holidays.</p>
<p>Easter is our holiday to host. I agree with much of the above - I love seeing the family and all, but the prep work, day-of work, and clean up afterwards is not on my list of favorite things to do! </p>
<p>The last couple of years now that the kids are older (husband usually has to work on Easter - ha, he is not a holiday fan and I’m quite sure “working” is his way to get OUT of my way and to avoid a whole day with my family!) I have adopted this mantra that the holiday is not called, "Easter by Mom " (me). It’s our FAMILY hosting the holiday and they are expected to help with some of the house pick up, food prep and clean up - really, if everyone helps a little it’s not so bad!</p>