Can you come over to my house and cook food for us, DrGoogle, if it is relaxing for you? I really hate it, but we do like to eat, so it’s quite the dilemma.
I have never made a big deal about any holiday, whether it is my birthday, Mothers Day, anything. I always let them off the hook. And I would take a heartfelt hug over any present they could give me. But they are 2,000 miles away 
Apparently my husband and son told whoever at the restaurant where they had lunch that I always say, “every day is mother’s day at my house.” Meanwhile, I was at an estate sale buying an underpriced Singer Featherweight so win win.
Haha, my office mate at JPL used to tell me the same thing. He and his wife didn’t find cooking relaxing. My secret was using crockpot, I made a version of Persian chicken stew and I get to be creative with my ingredients for the gourmet hamburgers. Nothing stressful.
I think guys usually are not as expressive as girls. So hugs to you. I’m lucky both of my kids went to colleges not to far away.
That does seem to be a common theme with the sons. But I have no right to complain. We just had the oldest for a week, and he’s waiting to hear if he got a job offer in the area—hoping! And the youngest comes home in a week for two weeks, so I can get my fill of them soon.
The kind of cooking that I find relaxing is buying premade food at Whole Foods, and heating it up. Tastes great every time. I need to find a way to enjoy it. Maybe while listening to a good radio show and drinking a glass (or two) of wine. That’s how I manage to clean the kitchen. Distractions all the way. I wonder if there is a way to make yourself enjoy something you can’t stand (okay, nobody insert any poor taste jokes, here)!
S called yesterday. He did not mention Mother’s Day. But we are happy to receive the call and know he is well. He called less frequently in this semester. He has been busy (e.g., relationship) and we understand.
Our family have never made a big deal about any holiday. But we are there whenever the kid needs us. When he does not “need us”, we try to give him “his space” (maybe his and his GF’s space now?) and do not want him to think he has the “burden” to contact us regularly. Usually, no news means good news.
It is over hyped and I do try to put the Facebook posts in perspective. Although I will admit on Facebook it does seem like folks have better times with their families than I do. I’m lucky that my grown kids are all local in the Boston area and I do see them a lot. I also have a lot of perspective because I have been dealing with a serious cancer diagnosis for quite a few years (which may be why my kids have chosen to be local) and I really do see things more clearly. I participate in a number of Colon Cancer forums and know that today there are many children missing their moms and many mom missing their kids. Sometimes I’m just happy to be here on Mother’s Day and I hope I see many more.
I hope you do too, ams5796!!
ams5796, I hope you have many healthy years ahead of you.
I spent the day binge watched Breaking Bad. I stayed in my lounge wear all day. It was one of the best days. Not exactly a pity day.
“kids” don’t always realize that Mothers’ Day is important. fathers need to step in and explain it to them, in advance.
I actually don’t like Mother’s Day very much. My girls will make me a nice breakfast and set a ridiculously pretty plate with all sorts of spring flowers. I can’t complain about that! But there is too much hype and way too much guilt associated with the holiday. I hate the guilt especially.
My mother died more than ten years ago but I don’t feel sad about that on Mother’s Day, actually I feel a bit relieved although she wasn’t the guilting type. I feel sad on her birthday. I spent this Mother’s Day in a few airports and that’s fine by me.
Yesterday was the first time that neither kid was home. Was feeling sorry for myself a little bit. Both D and S called and talked for a while. They were really great kids in that they both also called my mom to wish her before calling me. How wonderful is that? Especially since I didn’t have to prompt them. Called my mom and had a long conversation with her too. H forgot - but ended up making his usual mother’s day breakfast for me after a reminder from my mom 
So, everything should be good, right? Apparently not - for some reason, I was feeling weepy and upset all day long.
Reading the other responses makes me feel bad, feeling sorry for myself when there are so many other “real” issues out there.
I don’t like Mother’s Day. Facebook does seem to make it worse. Either that, or everyone else raised more giving, loving children. As expected, S2 texted me 12:01 at the start of the day. He is my sweet child, never wants to forget my important days, but also wants it off his list. I told him I knew he’d text first and he was my favorite child (jk) and loved me the most. He texted back, “Nah, perks of working midnights…”
I’ve been slaving on graduation for D, who did nothing other than say “HMD.” S & DIL came by with a lovely flowering basket. I know who gets the bonus points on that Hugs to all who hurt yesterday and those that don’t get to see their kids often.
Yeah, I got the obligatory Happy Mother’s Day phone calls from both sons.
I hope to get at least an acknowledgement from the kids for Mother’s Day, but I’m fine without a lot of fanfare. As a friend explained to me once… “It’s really a Hallmark holiday.”
Origins of mother day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day
There are so many holidays throughout the year that though widely celebrated we are under no obligation to celebrate. If we do celebrate them it is for our own happiness or simply to give joy to others or be in the spirit of the holiday. If some families make a big deal about mothers days it is totally ok as long as this is what the family enjoys. What matters most are the feelings in the heart. All anyone really wants is to feel is appreciated whether it be a holiday or any other day. The holiday is just one opportunity to express that love. How one displays their affection is unique to that person. (flowers, gift, phone call, HMD) Some like to display their affections over facebook while others like to do it privately. At the same time as a mother I wouldn’t be disappointed if I didn’t get the special treatment on that particular day. If it was important enough to me I would communicate it to my family before hand. I have faith in our relationship that it is strong. The gifts are just material things that I could even buy on my own. Everyones view or perspective is different but that doesn’t make them wrong. I am a single parent. I bought some flowers from the market yesterday on my own and just seeing them bloom has made my day pleasant. I paid for carryout for my daughter and myself so that we both could have an enjoyable and relaxing day. Maybe I am used to taking care of myself for so long that I don’t depend or expect from anyone but I am very content on my own. I know how to keep myself in a positive state of mind and small things don’t bother me. I am happy if my daughter is happy, healthy, and doing the best she can in school. I know she has a good set of values. That is all I ask for.
I was diagnosed with leukemia the day after Mother’s Day 13 years ago. Mother’s Day is the last day I remember prior to my heart attack three years ago. (I lost almost two weeks – absolutely no recollections of anything, including the heart attack itself.) May is when I tend to find out what disasters happened during the semester. May used to be my favorite month. Now it’s the hardest month for me to be a mom.
Both guys did call. But better yet, S1 is coming to visit next week and we are going camping Memorial Day weekend. Just like old times. That I will cherish. And even if Mother’s Day is bittersweet, it’s a reminder I am still here and have gotten to see my kids grow up. Priceless.
(((Hugs))) to you, CD.
I worked Monday morning and this is how it went:
Asked customer #1 how her Mother’s Day was. Customer’s only child died in March.
As if that was not enough, I inquired of another customer 20 minutes later! Her mother died unexpectedly last Friday! (they dropped her when moving her from the operating table back to the gurney!!)
Needless to say, I was almost speechless. I do plan to send a note to #2.
The morale of this story might be to be very thankful for what we have!!!
Oh, no, ksm! So much for small talk.