Mother's Day

My sons never disappoint. I have a beautiful bouquet of red and yellow gerbera daisies sitting on the table beside me. Two bottles of wine chilling in the fridge.  (okay, one and a half...I got my gifts on Friday ;-). We tend to celebrate special days close to, not necessarily on. We are a strange bunch.

I had a cry this morning thinking about my Mom. I miss her. She died in 2006 after struggling with Alzheimer's for 6 years. We had a difficult relationship when I was younger, especially my teen years and early adulthood. I blame the middle child syndrome and the fact that my two sisters ganged up on me mercilessly. (Yes, Lynne I said it...mercilessly)...But Mom and I were able to come to a more relaxed, mutually respectful relationship in the years before her illness. She would call me every evening after supper and I can still remember her voice on the phone. "Marilyn? How are you?" We'd chat about our day and I'd tell her what the boys were up to. She loved my dog, Bo and Bo adored her. When Mom was diagnosed with her illness and becoming a little frail and uncertain Bo stopped being so boisterous around her and would just lay on the couch beside her, solicitous and caring, and Mom would gently pet her head. We have pictures, Mom looking a little confused and Bo stretched out on the couch beside her, her protector. (Dad would take the recliner and the rest of us would sit on dining room chairs since Bo took up most of the couch and no one dared to try to move her    ;-).
Mom loved being a grandmother. She knew each of the kids' favourite dishes and they were always on hand when they visited. She loved to worry. I remember when we moved out to Martensville and I had to start commuting to work. She said, "Just one more thing for me to worry about."  She liked to shop and was always dressed impeccably. It was a thorn in her side that the one daughter    (me ;-) who lived the closest had nothing but disdain for the whole shopping experience so when one of her other daughers visited she would always added shopping to the itinerary. She did good deeds without fanfare, never needing accolades. She was talented. She was compassionate. She was kind. She lived a life of grace. I take great pride in being told "you're just like Nana" or "you got that from Mom", but sadly, I don't hear it that often.
I miss you Mom and I love you. I think of you every day but I leave the tears for Mother's Day.