I am walking through the mall with my daughters and see
Mother's Day signage. What should be a happy sight, I feel mixed emotions. Ever since my mom died I have hated Mother's Day.
I've tried to make it passable by honoring my grandmothers, but it wasn't the same. Now as a mom, I feel I need to participate
in the Hallmark holiday.
She is never far from
my thoughts. I have been alive longer than her. What started to make the day fun for me was when I began things to honor my
mom every day like:
1.
I break out pictures of my childhood and share stories with my daughters. By talking about the good times it reminds me
I did have a childhood.
2.
She loved purses. I have some of hers and have added a lot more since. When I get nostalgic I look at my purses and
remember playing dress up with them. Sometimes I will go window shop the purse section of department stores. It may seem silly,
but it is calming to me.
3.
I watch her favorite movies or television shows. I remember watching The Young and the Restless when I was home from
school. The house stopped for that one hour. Watching it today makes me feel close to her.
4. I give myself permission to grieve. The loss of
her will always be here. It comes in fast and furious. A trigger can be small or big depending on the day. When I embrace
the pain I get through it.
5.
I work on living each day as it might be the last. I often forget to make each day count. The beauty is when I wake
up the next day it is a fresh start.
I may be a grown woman but I will always wonder, what if she didn't
have cancer? What if she survived? What if I had a regular childhood that didn't involve hospitals and wheelchairs? Looking
at my daughters enjoying a mall treat, I know I can drive myself mad wondering the what if's. I might live till tomorrow,
or not. What matters is honoring my mom while living my life. Being the mom she was is a great gift to give my daughters.
After
the birth of her second daughter, Danielle picked up a pen to write the stories as a mom as she lived them. Danielle joined
an online class through www.themomoirproject.com where she learned how to craft the stories. With her creative sanity rolling, Danielle has made a writing home
at www.themomoirproject.com,www.yummymummyclub.ca, www.womenspost.ca and now www.wondermoms.ca. She has guest blogged on many other parenting websites.
