Well, Happy Mother’s Day a bit early, actually, as tomorrow we are headed to Los Angeles to celebrate my sister’s newest grandchild. We’ll probably wear masks. Our luncheon is outside. Life goes on. Mother’s Day is a day to honor our mothers, and I’m lucky to have a great one. She turns 92 years old at the end of this month, and I am fully in Abraham Lincoln’s camp: “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
I’ve had a great mother-in-law, and a mother-in-law that wasn’t so great — or at least that’s how I viewed things in my earlier life. Now that I’m a mother-in-law, I understand the not-so-great woman much better and hope she will forgive me for my failings. I’ve had great women who taught me how to quilt, mothering me into a craft that has sustained me for years. I owe them a great debt.
Where does the beginning start? We think this weekend of mothers and how they give birth to us and raise us. If we are fortunate we have a good mother. If life throws you a brutal curveball, you had a terrible mother. Reams of paper have been used in writing about those two polar opposites; I will not add my words to that pile today.
But somewhere we all had a beginning. Some beginnings are early, and we can locate the source and revere what gave us our start. Other beginnings come later, often after tragedy, pain, death, or divorce, and the reins of life are picked up again in a new beginning. I think it appropriate that whoever you decide is your mother — whether it be a birth mother, or an adoptive mother, someone who took you in, or someone who freed you to grow and fly — I hope that this day you are able to honor and remember them.
I also honor the mothers of all these grandchildren in our laps, a photo taken years ago, those young children giving us such delight (three are missing!). My daughter and daughters-in-law are all devoted to their families. I also love and respect my sisters, my in-laws, aunts, grandmothers. While there are always a few ringers, women who are best at a distance, I am fortunate to have such a great circle of love from women in my life, examples to follow and people from who I can pick up advice about teenagers, babies, husbands and daily living. And quilting.
I wish the same for you.
Happy Mother’s Day!
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 
What a lovely piece! I have not been so lucky to have those lovely women in my genetic family but I DO have them in my life. How fortunate we are! Happy Mothers Day and everyday to you.
Thank you for the lovely words on a weekend, day to celebrate one of the best elements in our lives. In my life I have been lucky to have had a great mother, mother-in-law, sister and sister-in-laws. Daughters and friends who are the most caring and wonderful people. Everyone is showing their true colors. Thank you to you Elizabeth who puts everything into the most beautiful words.
What a beautiful post. I just lost my 91-year-old mother a few months ago. She was the most warm, kind and loving mother and I miss her every day. Happy Mother’s Day to you and all your readers.
Happy Mother’s Day to you and all the mothers in your family. The photo of you with all the little ones is so sweet. They grow up too quickly. Have fun tomorrow.
What a nice post for Mother’s Day. I, too, still have my mother. She turned 96 on April 29th and I treasure every special moment with her. Happy Mother’s Day, Elizabeth.
Happy Mother’s Day Elizabeth! I have a couple of wonderful women in my life, namely my mother and my sister. They have been very important to me…I must admit I’m still working out my mother-in-law role! I do love that photo of your family! There is so much joy in it! Have a lovely day with your family. How wonderful to have a new baby in the family.
You have a lovely family. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Happy Mother’s Day to you Elizabeth. Your way with words expresses things so thoughtfully. I miss my Mother dearly as she’s been gone for 16 years. But am full of joy now at seeing my own daughter as a mother to my first grand. The cycle continues. Love grows.
Happy Mother’s Day (late). How wonderful that you still have your mother living. Fabulous family photo! I love the way you express things, and your perspective – understanding not everyone has come from an ideal situation. It is amazing how we gain perspective as we age and become more understanding and empathy.