Chillin' and Spillin'

Hey all you Mothers!

I mean that respectfully, of course. Are you ready for the Big Day? Just don't get all bent out of shape if your Mother's Day wishes are ignored or less-than perfect. I realized there was more to rant about on this topic, so here's Rant Part Two:

As mentioned previously, it's not about a $5 card or a $100 dinner out (don't do it!) or (ugh) dinner with in-laws. Unless you really, really love your in-laws. Of course we all do! Especially mine (not kidding) and not just because they live a couple states away.

Speaking for others (it's fun and easy to do!) I know the hand-scrawled, hand-beaded dream-catchers are the important gifts. And a spa gift certificate to match. As long as your children adore you, treat you with loving kindness EVERY DAY (stop laughing) then you are truly blessed.

You have to get those young'uns trained early (get help from dad, other caregiver, whomever) to make them appreciate the daily sacrifices you make and are making on their behalf. If your kids don't know how to express their love, make sure dad (or someone like dad) instills in them the value and wisdom of Making Mom Happy.

For as one very wise husband of mine once said (the keeper-husband, not the starter-husband): "If the Mom ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy." Yes, sometimes he lapses into this weird arcane speech delivery. But it sure got attention from all the right people!

And every since then, I must say, I have been made very, very happy by my special people. Except for that one disastrous dinner which we will not relive here.



Emily-the-Eldest (really Emmy-the-Eldest) can't really top her gift from last year. We still lived in New York, she in LA. That dreary, rainy May day was brightened by a cute, sarcastic card from her (I don't know how she got so sarcastic) and a Cd I think (memory's not so great these days).

But then Lew kept me busy in the kitchen and asked me to go into the living room, for a balloon that escaped from the pack, or something. And there she was. Emmy. In the flesh. I nearly passed out, hyperventilating, crying, hugging. I was a sentimental mess.

It was the best Mother's Day gift I ever had.

And it was made doubly precious 4 days later, when my sister called to tell me that our own Mother had just died. Kinda sucked the oxygen out of the room. But Emmy was there, otherwise I would have gotten the news all alone in a big empty house.

Full circle.

So, whatever you are surprised with this Sunday, make a fuss (even if it's one of those singing cards) make sure they know how much they are loved, and enjoy it. While it lasts.

Maybe next year you'll get that spa gift.

Happy Mother's Day!

Discuss among yourselves.