A Gratifyingly “Mundane” Mother’s Day

It’s Monday, but Mother’s Day is still in the air.

One of my friends spent Mother’s Day castrating her 2 baby goats.  She writes on her blog (and she’s no newbie blogger like me), “They both walked pretty funny at first. But you know, who wouldn’t?”  THAT is funny.  How can my blog on Mother’s Day EVEN compare with that?? I castrated no baby goats, for heaven’s sake!

Mother’s Day in our family is generally a very predictable routine… and one without a lot of bells and whistles.  Ya know, come to think of it, it could actually look really boring from the outside looking in.  This year my husband gave me my gift early.  My daughter told me my Mother’s Day present would be late.  Panda Express for lunch. My mom and dad came over about 3:00.  We watched a movie. We played a table game.  On top of everything, I forgot to buy a card for my mom.  (Yes, forgot. Go ahead, be horrified.)

Pretty boring? A letdown?

Not even a little. 

I LOVE my husband’s early Mother’s Day gift – my favorite (fairly expensive) concentrated lavender bubble bath!!

My 16 year old daughter Elizabeth was a part of the mix almost the whole day – and with a great attitude, might I add.  (And for those of you having raised 16 year olds, you get that this is a very big deal.)

My wonderful step-daughter Janee wrote to me on facebook, “Thanks for all the greatness you've instilled in me”.  (Wow. Um.  How do you top that for Mother’s Day??)

My dear step-son Isaac tried to call 3 times just to try to get in touch with me (finally connecting on the third try). After the long and involved history of our relationship, this is a priceless Mother’s Day gift.

My day was not colored with grief over losing a mom, the pain of infertility, an irreparable relationship with a mother or child or any number of other reasons a huge number of women rightfully dread this day.  I think about this every Mother’s Day.

And here is the big thing – I actually LIKE my mom!  (OK Dad, you too, but it’s not Father’s Day yet!)  Let me tell you, in my profession, you do NOT forget what a minor miracle this is!!  I don’t have to dig to find multiple things that I can appreciate and honor.  They are right there, visible to everybody.

This was NOT a boring Mother’s Day.

I’m telling you, a viewing of Tangled (LOVE the horse in that movie!!), 3 games of loud, raucous Yatzee (with laughter at inappropriate comments) and hanging out with a family I truly like made for one delightful Mother’s Day!  (Special note: Both moms present won 1 game each. Oh yeah.)

So.  I ate no spectacular dinner. I went to no exotic location.  I received no flowers, chocolates or diamonds.  I castrated no goats. (Does that last sentence fit?)

My Mother’s Day:  Warm. Content.  Fun.  And gratifyingly “mundane”.