It’s almost here. But no worries. Today I’m sharing what mothers really want for Mother’s Day.
What Mothers Really Want For Mother’s Day
A long, long time ago and very far away, a three year-old boy lived with his older sister and widowed mother.
Okay, okay, so he was too little to understand that his mother was widowed. That was just a cheap ploy of this writer to pull at your heartstrings. He didn’t actually remember his dad (he was wee when his father passed away) but what with all those endless “John Walter” stories shared by his mother, relatives and family friends, he felt like his dad was still around. Hovering in the shadows, just out of reach. And maybe he was …
Anyway, this little chap was very excited to go to preschool one particular morning. Why? The Mother’s Day Tea! Not only did he get to get all dressed up in his very special big boy party clothes but his mom was invited. This meant he got to greet her at the door with a lovely flower, take her by the hand and walk her over to her special chair.
But the very best part? Yesterday’s Mother’s Day Tea (yes, that of his sister’s four year-old preschool class) had been something of a disaster. The scones were nothing like the ones his mom made. The new teacher, using the highly successful recipe of the very popular previous teacher, had somehow misread the amount of salt required. Rather than one tablespoon, she’d added a cup. Yes, a cup. He’d overheard his mom telling her friend that many of the “4’s mommies” spat out their first bites and some of them even wished for a “little something something” to be added to their damn cup of tea.
After that misfortune, he knew today’s scones would turn out perfectly.
And they did. The Little Man waited his turn in line, held out his tray and watched as the teacher loaded it up with two plates of blueberry scones and a full teacup and saucer. Carefully, ever so carefully, he walked it over to his mom.
Her shiny eyes and severe inability to speak told him he’d done a good job. He’d given her what she wanted for Mother’s Day.
Poof! Suddenly 16 Mother’s Days had come and gone. Over these years, he and his sister had treated their mom to breakfasts in bed (when they were still little she’d help prepare the fixings the night before and the next morning pull the baked scones out of the oven with her eyes shut) brunches out at quirky restaurants and delicious dinners at home. While the most memorable was perhaps that one Mother’s Day he nearly burned the house down when he opted to “broil” his Osso Buco rather than “bake” it as “bake was only for cookies” most of the 16 were a success. They’d given their mother what she most wanted for Mother’s Day.
And what is it that mothers most want for Mother’s Day? To experience the throat closing, tear inducing undeniable certainty that they are indeed loved and truly appreciated. That’s it.
So whether it’s through the gift of flowers (ahem – thoughtful flowers – no need to break the bank, however if you’re over ten, do try to avoid last minute wilty numbers that require almost imminent deadheading), a meal offering, a phone call or a simple heartfelt hug, I suggest you make every effort to let your mom know she is indeed loved and truly appreciated.
This post was inspired by this week’s Finish the Sentence prompt of “A long, long time ago and very far away, there lived…” Check out the other links over at our hosts:
Kristi from http://www.findingninee.com/and this week’s sentence thinker-upper, Deborah Lovel Bryner from Life is Like a Hand Grenade at http://shermancityhall.blogspot.com/
How will I spend this Sunday, the 17th Mother’s Day after Little Man’s salt free scone delivery? Dining with my 93 year-old mom, chatting with my daughter and thinking of my son. After hours of flying he’ll be touching down on a far away continent; finally starting his college summer internship.
Travel safe, Little Man. And remember to “Soak it all up.” And “Do all that you can to make a difference.” Love you. And your sister. More than you know.
Wishing you, dear Francine, the Happiest of Mother’s Days!
Enough about me and what mothers really want for Mother’s Day. I’m curious about you. Do you agree with me? Or is it just another “Hallmark card day?” If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
48 Responses
I just want to get out of cooking, but alas it’s not to happen. Everyone is coming for dinner of course! Oddly enough my husband cleans the house top to bottom for me every year and I love him for it. OH, and of course, flowers!
Oh, Rena. How wonderful that your husband cleans the house top to bottom. That’s great. I do hope the meal prep goes smoothly and everyone helps with dishes!
Aw Kelly! So so sweet. Happy Mother’s Day to you and to your awesome mom. Also your scones story? I did the same thing with crab-stuffed mushrooms. The recipe told me to make a cup of salt and pepper spice stuff and then season the stuffing to taste. But I read the cup and dumped it all in. It was well, you can imagine.
Thanks, Kristi. Happy Mother’s Day to you as well. You had me grinning over your crab-stuffed mushroom story. Man alive. Yes, I can well imagine …
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with the whole Mother’s Day concept…also Father’s Day. I prefer to have spontaneous Appreciation Days…Just Because kind of days. Not to concentrate all that appreciation stuff in just one day. Because, after all, I am that special and awesome… 😉
I do understand that wish for spontaneous Appreciation Days, Deborah. I actually had a paragraph in the piece about that but I took it out over worry that I was running rather long. And yes – you are indeed special and awesome!
Kelly that was so sweet, just love the picture of your little man, carrying the tray so intently . You have been an amazing Mum to your two, and they are wonderful young people because of it. Mothers Day is bittersweet for me now, having lost my Mum, but I am so lucky to have my two lovely daughters who I love to the moon and back. Have a wonderful Mothers Day with the fabulous Francine !
Oh what a lovely note, thanks, Jane. I do wish that I could have met your mother. What a gem. And yes, you do have two lovely daughters. I can’t help but think how wonderful it is that they remember your mum so well and have wonderful memories of her. That’s really special. I hope your Mother’s Day is very special too.
Oh what a sweet image of your little boy holding that tray! What a priceless idea those teachers had of the Mother’s Day Tea. Yikes, a cup of salt! Glad they learned from their mistakes. Yes to the POOF! So much, too much poofing of time in this hurried life. Thanks for sharing this sweet story Kelly.
Thank you for reading it, Julie and leaving such a lovely comment. I often wish that I could fashion a “hold button” (sorry if I’ve already told you this) that we could press to put things on hold for a bit.
Sunday Brunch out at a special restaurant has been somewhat of a family tradition, but this year I’m about 2300 miles away from my son and my mom is on a cruise ship. So…I’m not at all sure what is going to transpire this Mother’s Day….but I already have the very best gifts….my son, my daughter-in-law, and a very special little boy due to make his appearance come September. At which point, I will go from being ‘mom’ to ‘GiGi’ and I just couldn’t be happier about that!
Wheeeeeee! How very exciting, Debbie. I am so very happy for you and your family. Wonderful news. Love that you’ll be called “GiGi.” It suits you to a G. I hope that your Mother’s Day is splendid however you really do have the very best gifts possible. Happy Mother’s Day!
Tears and laughter-all at the same time❤️ Bravo for nailing it Kelly? Heading to London, UK to spend time with my daughters-land on Mother’s Day (Canada) – home is always whenever we are together, no matter where we happen to be. All the best, Dawn
Oh Dawn, what a splendid way to spend Mother’s Day. I am excited for you. And yes, home is always whenever we are together, no matter where we happen to be. My two were lucky to spend the weekend together before my son left and just yesterday I got a lovely card from them in the mail. It was just so very special and so thoughtful and all that I need for Mother’s Day. All the very best to you. I do thank you for popping in and leaving this special comment.
Best of luck for his travels! I’m dreaming about far away continents right now. To shut out this cold rain and our country’s Presidential election. Calgon, take me away!
That photo of him holding the tray. So amazing. I bet he still gets that look in his eye when he wants to do right. And I bet it’s often!
Oh Yes, your country’s Presidential election is making headlines up here as well. Huge news up here so I can only imagine how it is for all of you. And thank you for your lovely comments about my lad holding the tray. I just love that picture and treasure it.
I just loved this. In fact, I love seeing my FB wall filled with Mother’s Day tributes and this adds to that. Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful day Sunday!
Frances
Thanks so very much for popping in and leaving such a lovely comment, Frances. I really enjoyed your post and am going to give some serious thought to my skincare regime! I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
So true! We just want to know that we’re loved. I teared up looking at the picture of your sweet son with the tray – so much concentration, wanting to make sure he got everything just right. Good luck to your son, and I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day Kelly!
OH thanks so much for your kind words, Lana. I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown since he carried that tray.Thanks for your kind wishes about my son. His second flight (this one was 12 and a half hours long) lands in just half an hour and then after a two hour layover he’s off for another five and a half hours before he finally gets there. I’m beyond excited for him and know it’ll be the making of him. Am loving all the photos you’re posting on Instagram of your sons, too. It’s a special time,no? Have a very Happy Mother’s Day.
AMEN! Although if someone wanted to get me candy or a gift certificate I’d be touched, all I really need is time with my children (or a phone call from the out of town ones).
I hope you get all of that and more tomorrow, Kathy. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Happy Mother’s Day Kel! That is such a precious photo of your son, and the scone tale is hilarious. Oh my. Of course I have a little baking blunder of my own to confess. When we were kids my sister and I wanted to surprise our mother with cookies. Just as we were finishing mixing things up we realized we’d forgotten the vanilla and so grabbed the bottle from the pantry for a last minute addition. Alas after it was added and the cookies in the oven, we actually looked at the dark glass bottle and saw it was Pertussin cough medicine not vanilla. Oops. On the other hand, there was no coughing for the duration of the cookie eating, so I guess it wasn’t entirely a bad thing.
Noooooooooo! Oh man, that’s hilarious. And SO something I would do. As there was no coughing for the duration, yes I’d say it wasn’t entirely a bad thing! Did your mom make a comment on the “special” taste?
i too love the picture of your son with the tray – such concentration! Yes, you nailed it once again! Mother’s day is a little bitter sweet for me this year. I still have my mom but we moved her in memory care in April, so she is disappearing a little at a time. So – I will take my dog and meet my brother there this afternoon. Not going to take flowers, just more stuff – I think I’ll take her an ice cold Coke – that’s what she really wants. And take her for a walk with little Ollie, who is a big hit with the men for some reason (he’s only 15 pounds), and one always thanks me for sharing my dog with him. So – not being a mom, I’ll spend the day with my three boys – and pet them and remember I’m their mom.
Oh, Vickie, I am tearing up here. What a perfect thing to take to your mom on Mother’s Day. Your dog and an ice cold Coke. I’ll think of you. When my dad was in memory care I used to take his dog (we adopted him when my parents could no longer look after him) and he gave such joy to Dad. Love that Ollie is a big hit with the men! You are indeed a mom to your three boys, Vickie. Before I go for dinner with my mom and the family, I’m spending it with my daughter Poppy. She’s my border collie cross who is in dire need of a walk! Off to do just that.
What an adorable picture, Kelly (actually, both of them). I’m so glad the scones were a hit. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Thank you, Nanette. I can still taste the salty batch. Quite something.
I had the most lovely Mother’s day Kelly, going to see the movie Mother’s Day with my mom (We both agreed, though cute, it wasn’t one we could actually recommend) and then out to a lovely and delicious asian fusion restaurant and then home to see my angel daughter’s picture on face book wishing me a lovely day on her 1st mother’s day. Today was great!
Sounds like the perfect day, Kimberly. I adore asian fusion. Yummy. I’ll wait to see Mother’s Day on video. Ohhhhh it’s your daughter’s first mother’s day? That’s really special. I’m so glad your day was great. Mine was too. I made your crackers! Of course, I hit the wrong button on my processor and I think I whipped the batter too long. They were delicious but a bit hard. I also made them too thick.Nevermind. Everyone loved them and gobbled them up. I’m looking forward to making them again – closer to your instructions.
I hope that you and your mom had the happiest of Mother’s Days. I spent mine attending an absolutely spectacular production of The King and I with my mom (first time in many, many years that I have spent the day with this fabulous gal) and then came home to see a FB post from my daughter that brought on that “throat closing, tear inducing undeniable certainty” that I am “indeed loved and truly appreciated”. Sheer bliss!
Oh that sounds like a splendid Mother’s Day, Mo. That production of The King and I sounds stellar and the fact that you got to go to it with your mom is wonderful. And then to get that special FB post? The perfect capper. We are blessed, are we not?
I have the same Mom as Kimberly, above. I called just as they were about to leave for their adventure to see the Mother’s Day movie. As for my own daughter, she surprised me with a beautiful hand-drawn card. (She’s 14, and a very accomplished sketch artist.) She wrote some very sweet words in it. That was my Mother’s Day treat.
Ohhhhh now that is a special Mother’s Day treat indeed, Amy. I love that she did that. Those are the very best kind of cards to receive.
This was lovely! So touching. From the picture to the words, just wonderful. It makes me very excited to read your book when it comes out!
BTW, excellent tip about those over age 10 needing to pick the least-wilted flowers. It’s a life skill that is under appreciated I think.
Yes – I’m with you, Katy. It is an under appreciated life skill. And thank you for your kind words. Always a treat to hear from you. Hope your Mother’s Day was splendid.
Such a sweet post! I’m not a mom, but I do believe it’s the simple gestures of love expressed on that special day and through the year that Moms treasure the most.
Thank you so much for reading and for leaving a comment, Corrine. I’m with you. Mother’s Day, while special, is but one of 365 days of the year.
Every year, my Mother’s Days get better. Learning to incorporate my husband and allowing him to take control of it, but at the same time being clear on what I expect, which is mainly, I want my children to show their appreciation, in whatever way they’d like, but it must be something. I can’t wait for the days that they can do it themselves.
Oh I do understand, April. Every year Mother’s Days do get better, don’t they? I look back and wonder how I managed to prep the batter for the scones and then get them out of the oven in the morning without “looking” at them. Lately, my two have managed to surprise me with yummy breakfasts and brunches out. So easy. For me, that is! Your turn will come.
Aw! Love this Kelly!! Best of luck to your Little Man far away, I am confident he will truly make a difference in this world! I just adore the thought of you spending the day with your girl and your mama. <3
"And what is it that mothers most want for Mother’s Day? To experience the throat closing, tear inducing undeniable certainty that they are indeed loved and truly appreciated. That’s it. -" LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
I did feel all those things, despite being sick. 🙁 (Gluten, stupid gluten sucks.)
But BUT- I am truly blessed.
Horrors. Has it really taken me 8 days to respond to your lovely comment? I do apologize, Chris! Thank you for your kind words about my Little Man. He’s doing well and settling in which is great.
I am sorry to hear about your gluten issues. Yuck. I am sending healing wishes your way, by the bucketload.
That photo of your son is precious! He is being so careful to bring the tea to his mama. I will admit I usually feel like Mother’s Day is a bit of a letdown, but this year it was lovely. Some small gifts that showed my kids really know me (like a phone charger of my very own because I am always losing mine) and errands that I would have had to do on my own on Monday. Nothing big, but I felt loved and appreciated.
I am delighted to hear that you felt loved and appreciated on Mother’s Day, Dana. A phone charger of your very own is a thoughtful and worthy gift! And errands done, too? Golly, that’s great.
Yes, I did choke up reading this post…Little Man sounds like a great person…having your Mom for Mother’s Day is a gift in itself. I am just catching up on some blog reading, I hope your day was great.
Oh thank you, Beemie. I do apologize for taking so long to reply to your lovely comment. Little Man is a gem. Most of the time. Ha! My Mother’s Day was great, thank you. Although it now feels as if it was months ago. Where does the time go?
Kelly, I have to stop reading your posts on my phone. I always think I will come back and leave a comment from my laptop, which is easier for typing. Then, I think about your post so much, I feel like I have already written it and it never gets done. Just checked here – and I did it again!
I really love this story and the photo of your little boy. I hope he has a happy adventure this summer. And belated Happy Mother’s day!
No worries at all, Susan. I do the very same thing. It’s just so much easier to leave a comment with a huge keyboard. Thanks for your kind words about the Little Man. So far so good. He’s settling in well.