It’s commonplace to say, ‘happy mothers day’ or ‘have a nice mothers day’ yet the more years I accumulate, the more sensitive I am to the fact that many holidays aren’t ‘happy’ or ‘nice’ occasions for a lot of people. As a matter of fact, holidays or commemorative observances might be downright miserable, a trigger of sorts that evokes pain, sadness, regret, or loneliness. It’s a reminder of what they don’t, rather than do, have.
I will forever be the person that says count your blessings, cherish what was and never give up hope for what could be. Find gratitude in each day, in the little things. Live with gratitude, not regret or sorrow. Yet for some, this is much easier said than done.
Let’s think about all who have lost their mothers – whether to death, addiction or estrangement. Let’s think about the mother who lost daughters – to death, addiction or estrangement.
What about those who never knew their mothers – or mothers who never knew their children?
What do we say? Or should we say anything at all?
When encountering people on Mother’s Day, be kind. Be sensitive. Pay attention to body language and tone. Express your wishes accordingly.
Tonight, a gentleman kindly said, ‘May you ladies have a nice Mother’s Day, whatever that means to you.’ I thought wow – what a gentle yet cold statement, and wished the same to him.
Mother’s Day isn’t happy for many – if not most. Tread carefully and with compassion. As for me, I’m grateful every minute my mother is still with me – and can’t fathom the moment she’s not.
To the mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, cousins, friends who aren’t with us today – we love and miss you. Thinking and honoring you this Mother’s Day, and always.
