For those who struggle with Mother's Day (a great article)

This article touched on a lot of things that are on my mind this morning.

I am missing my Mom terribly.  She's been gone three years.

I am missing my children terribly.  My daughter moved 1400 miles away 4 years ago.  My son lives with his father about 45 minutes away from me.  They are both going through really difficult times in their lives.  I wish I could fix things for them but I can't.  They are adults (almost 25 and 20) and they have made decisions that landed them where they are in life.  It's not easy being a Mom. 

My sister wanted to be a mom but she didn't marry until she was in her 40s and never got to have a child.  I know how difficult Mother's Day is for her, especially since our Mom died.

I expect to cry today...I don't think there's any way around it for me.

Big hugs to all the moms, women who wish they were moms, grandmothers, daughters, and anyone else who is having a hard time today.

This is beautiful, thank you.

I was blessed to have a wonderful, loving mother for most of my life. Now that she's gone I am incredibly blessed to have several very close friends that love me like a daughter. I look to them as an example of how to be a caring mother, a loving wife, a devoted friend. They give me advice, encouragement, a sounding board, and the occasional shoulder to cry on. They treat my child like a true grandchild even though there are no biological ties. So now on Mother's Day these are the women I celebrate and honor. They deserve it, and so much more.

Thanks for the article. If only we all fit into the cookie cutter Hallmark target group...

I'm pretty OK with Mother's Day because I have no expectations of the holiday being "for me", in any way at all. The first year I was a mother (first DD was about 9 months old), I stayed home with DD and DH and we had a nice day at home. I really don't remember what we did... but I called my mom that afternoon to wish her a happy Mother's Day and she yelled at me on the phone, saying I was ungrateful and I had better not ever, ever, EVER think that on Mother's Day I could stay home by myself, and not visit and just call.
So, Mother's Day isn't my holiday. I don't think it ever will be. Today my children have ignored me (my 3 year old made me toast), I've spent the day baking, and I'm taking something to my mom in about an hour and then we're going to my sister's house for dinner. This holiday is not my holiday. That's what I keep telling myself. I'm doing nice things for other people, and I'm sure later today my kids will give me a gift and maybe some cards. But, this holiday is not for me.

Thank you. The same to you.

Thank you for posting that.  While my mom is amazingly still with us, she's far away from me.  My whole family is far away, and this is an entirely different world for me here.  I used to celebrate every single occasion with my family, in a big, loving way, and today I'm missing the normal champagne brunches I used to throw for my mom, grandmother, and sisters.  I'd cook for days and give them each a rose from a huge arrangement I'd make for the table.  I miss it.  I miss them.  Being here, I don't even know what day, month or holiday it is.  It NEVER seems like a holiday here.  The weather doesn't indicate what time of year it is or what holiday it should be.  I really hate it, but I'm trying my best to move back and be surrounded with my family, as soon as I could.  I was delayed b/c of medical problems (surgeries) but I'll try once again to make it happen.

For now, I am blessed to have my DH with me, and my 2 adult children, but they're busy working (making menial pay here).  We have to drive 1 of them b/c he doesn't have his license or car here, so our whole day is arranged around his schedule.  He works on holidays, weekends, etc.  It really stinks.  I'm just complaining, but I know it could be MUCH worse, and i am grateful for what I have.  I just miss a lot.

ETA:  To "mom" and all of the other Peas going through a different kind of tough Mother's Day, I wish there would be a "hug" button to push, so you'd know other Peas are thinking of you.  It doesn't make it easier, but you're thought of.

My son is 13 and this is the first year I stayed home from the family gathering. It is 2pm and I am still in my pajamas! My husband has been encouraging me to make this my day for years and I took him up on it. I still feel guilty, but at least I can feel guilty at my own house with nobody yelling at me or making snide comments to me or my daughter. 

How nice that your Girl Scouts appreciate you! That is awesome.  

Thanks so much! My whole family has been working on redoing the landscaping around our house. We planted 11 trees, 5 bushes, and multiple native perennials. We are going to dinner at my best friends house. It has been a great day.