“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” ―
As time went by, my wife decided that the gift she enjoyed more than any other was a giant bouquet of flowers. What settled her on this were the bunches of flowers I was able to pile together from our upscale grocery store. They have an over-the-top assortment to choose from that can’t be beat. Completely different from what you find at the typical “grocery store” – those apology flowers that people grab on their way home from work, late.
My wife decided that she’d rather have flowers for her birthday, anniversary, Mother’s Day, and any other special occasion I could imagine. Including the apologies I was always behind in delivering.
I was just at the grocery store (again) and saw all the various “types” grabbing their gifts and flowers for Mother’s Day. I could sit in there for hours just watching and sorting everyone into their category. There were dads pushing carts with young children all on a mission to find something just right. I saw a young man, probably still in high school, with two bunches of flowers – each had chocolate bars sprouting up into the air. Older couples were putting together their contributions for the meal with a mother-in-law. That young husband, maybe he’s also a new dad, was concentrating so hard over each choice in the floral department. As if this year’s choice was the one and only.
“I love you every day. And now I will miss you every day.” ―
Maybe you ought to think about celebrating the mom’s in your life more often. How about a big bouquet to commemorate the day YOU were born? What about celebrating anniversaries? Potty training day? Your driving license? First date? Those surely meant something big to your mom. What about your wife? How about a big bouquet for each of your children’s birthdays? Your first date with her?
The point is, find as many excuses as you can to celebrate motherhood – all through the year. What about breakfast in bed each Saturday? Take the kids on a fieldtrip and give her a break. YOU arrange for the babysitter and plan a date. Why not just cleaning up in the bathroom after yourself – every time? I just had a niece graduate from college – it went so fast. My grandchildren in preschool seems eternal, but I will blink and sooner than later watch each graduate. Don’t wait to remember.
“The timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness. And knows that yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream.” ―
Buying a giant bouquet can seem like an extravagance. The flowers don’t last. Gone in a week if you’re lucky. But their memory is still here with me. And I wasn’t even the one to receive them. Those moments of happiness, that were here one day and gone soon after, were worth every penny, worth the time driving across town, worth wrangling with the florist, worth hoping I’d made the right choices and had enough to fill up a giant vase at home (I’m a cheapskate at heart).
It was especially heartwarming tonight to watch those children, as their faces lit up when they had chosen the right bunch of roses or mixed arrangement. You could see their anticipation of watching mom’s happiness. Worth every penny. Worth every inch of trouble it takes, once we get older and busy with what never really matters. As often as you can remember.
“But the thing about remembering is that you don’t forget.” ―