Two mothers in 1993
Mothers are dead. Children are far away, one overseas who celebrates mothers in March, so may not know when Mother’s Day occurs here in the United States. Husband is on Martha’s Vineyard. I am alone with my thoughts. It doesn’t matter, but there is no one to fêtê me, no one with whom to celebrate.
In an effort to honor the work done by mothers, a holiday was established in the early 20th century, but Hallmark commercialized it. If one is always valued, do we need to be singled out on a specific day? We all wish to be valued.
Flowers from my kids during lockdown, 2020
#Retro Flash – 100 words
Betsy PfauRetired from software sales long ago, two grown children. Theater major in college. Singer still, arts lover, involved in art museums locally (Greater Boston area). Originally from Detroit area.
Characterizations:
moving, right on!, well written
Good RetroFlash Betsy!
It would be nice if we mothers were valued everyday, wouldn’t it!
That would be the goal…always to be appreciated, instead of taking one day out of the year!
That sounds so lonely Betsy—but you are not alone or unloved. It’s okay to find your own way to celebrate and remember. The pictures are lovely.
Thank you, Khati. I didn’t mean to complain, only state the facts. I do not feel unloved, but I am alone today. I had a wonderful chorus last night, so that was thrilling and exhausting! I will take today as a day of rest and self-care.
My husband sent a beautiful card from the Vineyard, which I appreciate. My younger child is on the autism spectrum and (as I stated), my older one lives in London where Mother’s Day was celebrated last March. I do feel appreciated but since this really a manufactured holiday the hope is to be appreciated all the time, not just once a year. I think that is more important for all of us.
Another Retroflash that sort of reads like a poem!
I am glad that your isolation is temporary. Holidays are hard times to be lonely.
Not to worry, Dave. Being alone for me does not equate to loneliness. I enjoy my solitude. I got a beautiful card from my husband (we had a long talk this morning; I joked that the card will last longer than flowers). The London group called via FaceTime a few hours ago. Rosa (my 16 month old granddaughter) was very busy with her crayons and kept kissing one parent, then the other. We will see them in about 2 1/2 weeks! And I spoke with my daughter in Seattle on Monday, as it was her birthday, so everyone is accounted for.
I agree that choosing a Hallmark holiday to celebrate motherhood is rather fake. I’m sorry you are separated from your loved ones today. Just got off the phone with mine from Newton and started the day with a call from my Indiana family. It’s raining and dreary now, but I’m lucky the kids who live near me are bringing carry-ins soon. I’m actually hungry, both for the food and the company.
I, too, spoke with family around the world today, Laurie. I had a long talk with my husband this morning. I FaceTimed with my kids in London and got a text from my daughter in Seattle. Her birthday was last Monday and we’d had a long talk then. So all were accounted for. I had a relaxing day after a strenuous but wonderful choral concert last night, and a 3 1/2 hour dress rehearsal the night before, so I had just the day I wanted.
I read this on Saturday when you posted. I was sad you were alone but also read your exchange with Dana about singing in the chorus and learned such great stuff about the composition. After such an emotional performance perhaps being alone allowed you more time to take it all in and reflect. I don’t know you that long, but from your writing, can tell what a loving, thoughtful and kind mom you are.
Thank you, Patty. As you can see from the remainder of my responses being alone is not the same as being lonely, which I was not. I don’t go to the Vineyard as early as my husband because I have all these wonderful things going on in my life (I am about to leave for my Pilates class; tomorrow I’ll have Barre and the day after that I have “Barefoot Sculpt” – I will only have Pilates on the Vineyard and even that class won’t start for about a month, so no need to rush down there). My children are far away, but we are accustomed to speaking remotely and they know how much I love them. In two weeks, we’ll head to London to see my older child, his wife and my 16 month old granddaughter! Yay! They FaceTimed with me yesterday.
If you want to learn more about my singing, you can look at my story “Newton Community Chorus”. You’ll see a photo of me in my long black dress (I chose something different to wear on Saturday, still all black, as that is our dress code), but not quite as heavy, as we had several warm days in a row and it was hot in the church! Still sweating at the end of the concert, though. Like a true athlete, I lost some weight singing this one. It takes stamina.