Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day, a day which is bittersweet for me because of my own mother's death thirty years ago the day before Mother's Day. Ever since, I've dwelled on that sadness and really hated the day and would do anything else but celebrate in a normal way. Found out that one of my sisters has been in the same mode of thinking all these years, too.

Finally let that go and realized that it was okay again to celebrate the day, though "created" holidays really bother me. And to me, Mother's Day is an oxymoron because EVERY day is Mother's Day if you have ever had a child or nurtured one.

My daughter visited me on Saturday to present me with some beautiful flowers and an especially poignant and meaningful card. She's my joy and light and that mother-daughter bond, even though dented a bit over the years, has never been broken. I hope she knows how much she means to me.

I am sharing the card's message because it is so strong and hopeful:

My Mother's Daughter

I am all of the experiences we've shared
and each of the things I've done on my own.

I am the stories we've read in books
and the ones written in my heart.

I am the traditions passed down through the years
and the new ones picked up along the way.

I am my mother's daughter,
different from her,
and yet the same,
and I can't think of anyone else
I'd rather be, Mom.


In loving memory of my own mother, Margitta Maria Albert Newman (1936-1980) and all those who came before, and all those who follow after, especially my daughter, Amy, who will be a wonderful mother to her own children.