A Mother's Day Confession
Forgive me, but I've had some bad thoughts.
To begin with, I want to go on the record that I love my mom more than anything. But when it comes to celebrating Mother’s Day it’s all about my mother and my mother-in-law, and for some reason me being a mother to four wonderful children doesn’t seem to count.
Am I the only 50-something mom who feels this way?
On nearly every Mother’s Day for the last 25 years, I‘ve celebrated by inviting my mother and extended family, plus my mother-in-law and her relatives (totaling 15 to 20 people), to a relaxing and tasty brunch hosted by none other other than me.
Of course, there were one or two occasions at my sister-in-law’s home in the desert, and a couple of total missteps (aka disasters) at restaurant brunches. After which, everyone always agreed, its soooo much nicer, more relaxing and easier to have it at your house.
It’s a very nice compliment -- but also a curse.
Once all the planning, invites, house cleaning, decorating, flowers, present buying, grocery shopping, food prep and drinks are taken care of, I just try to get through the day. It’s always pretty stressful. Oh, and did I mention that my youngest son’s birthday usually falls on or near Mother’s Day each year? No big deal: Just another person to celebrate.
I will give a shout out to my husband and kids who do help clean up the house. And for the rest of the day I get to sit my exhausted butt down, Mimosa in hand, and try not to fall asleep.
My mother and my mother-in-law have been amazing forces in my life and I owe them both the world. But it feels like everyone assumes that on Mother’s Day I’ll take care of everything.
Of course, I’m conflicted.
I am grateful for my mother, who is 85, and I cherish the time we have together. I know that when my time finally comes to be the honorary mother of the day it will be a sorrowful one.
But not this year!
Our youngest son is studying abroad in Italy and my husband and I are going to meet up with him and do some traveling. And guess what?
We’re not going to be here for Mother’s Day!!! I don’t think I’ve been happier and more relaxed at this time of year knowing that I've been absolved from my brunch duties.
I’ve gleefully notified the family that someone else will need to pick up the three kinds of quiches (vegetarian, gluten-free and applewood bacon) the Chinese Chicken Salad - make sure the chicken is on the side - the lox and bagels (4 kinds), the fruit bowls and champagne.
I'll be toasting you all with a cool, crisp glass of Orvieto Classico over a delizioso antipasti. Ciao!
Photos by Nacho Arteaga and Scott Warman unsplash.com
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