Mother’s Day – 2012
Sunday was Mother’s Day and I felt blessed. All day. I reminisced about wonderful memories of time spent with my mother, my mother-in-law and my chosen second mother Rebecca. These three woman have been so incredibly powerful in my life. They have taught me how to love, how to forgive and how to walk through this world with my head held high and a deep faith in God.
I also thought about wonderful memories of my sister Diana, who at times, had to act as my mother. Those were during times that my mother was stuck in her own childlike ways due to stress and trauma from her youth. This happened quite often so it’s only fitting for me to think of my sister on Mother’s Day. Being 7 1/2 years older than me she felt the responsibility to make sure that I was o.k. This was of course a job she shouldn’t have had to do and didn’t have to do, but I am ever so grateful that she did.
I spent Sunday with my three boys. They were loving and wonderful and exactly who they are every day, which keeps me grounded in my love for them. Matt took care of the food which was one of my requests since having a break from figuring out what to feed everyone feels like a huge gift in itself and the boys did their best not to fight or whine or complain. They of course had their “moments” but overall it was a great day.
I wanted to go to the beach. Spending time in the wide expanse of sand and surf felt needed. The boys love the beach and our whole family just seems to relax in a way that we don’t in our every day routine. We went to Limantour Beach near Point Reyes and it was, as always, beautiful. The beach is about an hour away over a somewhat windy but beautiful road. We prepared for cooler weather and after going back and forth a bit I decided to bring the camera. Figuring it may be overcast I thought it would be fun to take some pictures to remember the day. Once we arrived, we set up a spot near a cleared sand dune so the boys could run up and down and boy, did they run!
I took a walk by myself at one point during the day. Just to walk, breath and enjoy a moment to myself. I was struck by the other people there. Some sleeping, some walking, others playing with their friends or kids. I wondered what their stories were. The woman walking hand in hand with a younger woman, was it her daughter?. The man watching a group of six young men playing frisbee, no woman in sight. The man standing in the sand dunes amongst the grasses holding a sleeping baby. All of these people, all of these lives and so many stories that I could only imagine. After I walked for a while I turned around to come back, to return to my three boys, my family playing in the sand. It’s amazing how energy works, how we can recognize each other before we even really see each other. As I got closer and was walking toward so many different people I could easily spot my three loves. They just sort of stood out from everyone else, even when so far away that I couldn’t even really see them. I’m always in awe when that happens.
We had such a great time together, even though there were your typical moments of frustration, and in the end, everyone asked when we would be back. I laughed about my almost not bringing the camera. Matt and I were completely inspired to take pictures. At the end of the afternoon we had shot over 700 photographs. Seriously!
Matt, thank you for being such a loving husband and father. Mason, thank you for continuing to challenge me to love deeper and more gently. Miles, thank you for teaching me grace and ease and for making laugh like you do. You’re a goof-ball.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of my mothers. I love you all so, so much. I feel completely blessed and grateful that you have been and are a part of my life.
