Oh Mother’s Day…

 

Happy Mother’s Day to all my friends and family and those of you who are blessed to still have your Mommas. I am one of the fortunate ones and I don’t take that for granted.

This past weekend, I attended a Celebration of Life for a friend of my parents. She and her husband have been friends of Mom & Dad for almost 70 years. Their oldest daughter and I were each other’s first friends…literally! We were babies when our parents were just getting started as parents. The friendship has endured a lot of wonderful times, some sad times, being a part of each other’s family weddings, milestone birthdays, traveling as couples and visits annually to each other’s homes…one in Louisville and one in Detroit…until Alzheimer’s slowly drained the life from this sweet wife, mother, friend.

At the Celebration of Life, each of her children spoke briefly about their Mom and cute stories from their lives. Then the grandchildren spoke briefly about their Grandmother. It was tender and sweet and Sally’s memory was captured. Her legacy lives on in those she leaves behind.

As I drove home to Louisville, it was Mother’s Day…the first one that my friends would have without their Mom. I was lucky enough to be driving home to my Mom. There were tears and there was a smile! 

My Mom recently gifted a painting of the four generations of hands that I have always wanted. We take pictures often, but this was painted by my dear friend, Sue, and it was extra special because of that. This is something I look at every day when I think of Mom, Katie, me, and someday, Gabriel's family. It wasn't a Mother's Day gift, but it was the first thing I saw when I returned to my room at home.

I also made a decision (this happens when I’m driving alone!) to have a Celebration of Life when the time comes. I will leave instructions for my family that I want a celebration with food & drink, lots of stories about me, of course, and a gathering of the people who have been a part of my life. I want people to remember our good times. I don’t want people sitting around crying about me.

That’s what Sally had…a beautiful room with windows overlooking the lake. There were tables of neighbors, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends of her daughters, friends from school, and so many people that had been a part of her life. Her sweet husband, George, sat on the side of the room, watching with tears That’s the kind of send-off we all need.

I have no intention of going anywhere any time soon, but is something people need to think about it. No more farewell talk, but I hope you will think about it.

For those of you who celebrated without your Moms, I am sending you an extra hug.

From Derby to Mother’s Day to Pittsburgh, where my daughter and her husband, will leave their boys in my care for a few days. Camp CeCe is on the road again!!! xoxoxo