So, the first Mother's Day without my own mother is over. I had a good day, remembering Mom. I miss her terribly, and I still want to talk to her all the time. One of the very last responses she made to anyone before she passed was to me, when I was talking about how Jesus was coming soon and how I would miss her. I treasure that precious moment when she reached for me as I softly spoke to her.
Since I am in NJ at the moment, I took the time yesterday to visit my mother's sisters. It was good to see them again and to talk about Mom, to tell them more details about her passing.
Today I visited with my brother in the morning and then drove down to see my stepmother and the family (including my beloved stepsister). My stepmother has finally decided to move to a retirement community. Packing up the house that she lived in for 40 years, and which she shared with my father for 25 of those years, is difficult. Rather like prying a snail from its shell. But she recognizes the many benefits of living in a gated community where she will feel safe and where there are neighbors looking out for her. She will also be living closer to her son and one of her granddaughters. I never lived in the house that she and my father shared, but I'll miss it all the same. My father loved it, and I always felt welcome there, too.
Happy Mother's Day to all out there -- to those who are mothers by birth, by adoption, and by choice. You are the best!
- Catherine
2 comments:
I thought about you today, Catherine, wondering how you were doing. Glad to hear you made it through and you had lots of family around.
I was glad to see you had a good family visit to make Mother's Day a good one. My sister-in-law also had her first Mother's day without her mom, but spent it at a niece's graduation - a very happy occasion.
This phase of life when people have to leave their longtime homes is so hard, but it does sound like a good move for your stepmother!
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