Mother’s Day is always a little bittersweet for me because I coincidentally ended up seeing each of my parents for the last time on a Mother’s Day. My dad passed the next day (we had visited him in the hospital before taking my mom out) and my mom a couple of weeks after the holiday (and right after we moved cross country). They were many years apart. But by now (nearly 10 years after Mom) it’s leveled out considerably.
Husband always sent his mom flowers but didn’t do anything for me - because I was not his mother. Son is good with cards but he lives elsewhere so if he’s visiting us or I’m visiting him, I will plan to do what makes me happy and the guys go along. I used to enjoy the big brunches but they have gotten ridiculously expensive so no more.
Husband did surprise me with the breakfast and walk suggestions, and we’re going out for dinner. But that’s normal, not to celebrate. He may give me flowers under arrangement with son as has happened in the past; I shall see.
My husband always does thoughtful things on Mother’s Day, even with the kids grown and gone. We picked out Costco steaks (our first) the other day, and he will make dinner. There will be a zoom call with both kids at noon.
One of my favorite memories is when he and kids made me breakfast in bed. It included a plate with two colored paper “M” and and bagel “O” in the middle.
Happy Mother’s day. I usually get white Roses for my wife but she specifically told me not to this year. She cut flowers like lilacs from our garden and they are all over the house. Both kids will call her. We are both working outside in the garden today. I just don’t cook and she doesn’t want to go out for brunch. She is a phenomenal cook and can make something better actually. It’s a beautiful day today.
The nicest part is that I received HAppy Mom day wishes from a few friends.
I’ll make spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner. Like flowers, eating out is expensive and packed. I so dislike Hallmark holidays.
The farmgirls flower company got back to me. They said the pictures of the wilted plants were helpful. For goodness sakes, why does my DIL persist in sending flowers when I’ve asked her not to? Is this passive/aggressive?
The flowers I have received don’t travel well. If not wilted on arrival, they will within a few days. So disappointing. My kid and I made a truce not to send flowers.
I babysat my two grandchildren for 4 days because D1 had an investors conference in CA, and spouses were invited. They flew back last night to celebrate Mother’s Day with me. D2 and her husband and my mother will join us for Mother’s Day lunch. It’s a beautiful day in Brooklyn.
D1 gave me a package to open this morning. It had 2 pairs of reading glasses. I kind of went hmmm, but did show appropriate appreciation. She then said, “ there are some wines coming from ÇA and a plant was delivered to your place yesterday.”
My girls always do big for my birthday and Mother’s Day. It does make me happy that they do remember.
My husband always makes me my favorite breakfast (Shakshuka) and when the kids were young, they helped and served it to me. We also did a lot of hiking on Mother’s Day when the kids were younger—one of my favorite things to do together. One year, they decorated the door to our bedroom, which was very special to me bc I always decorate their bedroom doors for their birthdays. I still have it up, and it’s probably been 5 years.
These days, D22 will call from college. S26 will handpick flowers from around our neighborhood. S26 has some things to do today so we won’t do much else. I’ll FaceTime my mom (and I sent her cupcakes from a favorite bakery).
Doubtful that it is being passive/aggressive. One possibility is that flowers are her go to gift, and when she asked your son to find a better alternative he didn’t get around to it.
I’m 2/2 today. Had to prompt both kids to say Happy Mother’s Day. I wish that they would make an effort especially this year which is already terrible. Sigh…
That’s one of my favorite parts of Mother’s Day … exchanging texts with friends who I met through the kids but whose friendships have extended far beyond school days.
I had video calls from both DDs with all the grandkids. Last night from the ones 8,000 miles away (it was Sunday morning there) and this morning from the ones 3,000 miles away.
Later, I’ll visit with DS and grandpups, 3 miles away. He’ll make me dinner.
That is a good idea to suggest alternatives. (Though admittedly I have not me mentioned to hubby that the roses he bought while I was at church are lovely… but even better would have been having him at church with me - I just know it’s not his thing. Invited him, was ok when he declined.)
Or do what I do… tell the kids Mother’s Day gifts not expected - just having a family Zoom call is my favorite way to celebrate. Sometimes the kids also chip in for a joint gift, but I’m not offended if they don’t. And I definitely don’t want DIL sweating over gifts for me (though sometimes she does)… I never liked being the lead coordinator on gift giving for hubby’s family.
This weekend when with friends and at church, I noticed that lots of gardeners are rejoicing at the lovely weather. In Colorado, the rule of thumb is to not put in plants until Mother’s Day (and in some years that is too early). Several grandmothers have mentioned that their gardens are their happy place, and they are happy to let the next generations do celebrations at their own homes.
