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| Mom and Me, Pacific Ocean, Summer 1995 |
This past week on Facebook, a lot of people have been posting photos of their mothers on their profile. At first I didn’t catch on and thought my friends were looking a little outdated (many of the photos were olden-day versions), but then I realized it was one of those meme-type things that spreads through social networking, a way of focusing on something we all hold in common to keep us all connected.
So I decided to play along. I found a picture from Summer 1995 when I was pregnant with our firstborn, readying to take on my new role as a mother myself. My mother had come from Montana for a visit to our little home in Shelton, Washington, where I was working as a newspaper reporter, and my husband, as a newspaper advertising sales manager. Our friends Carolyn and Don were gracious enough to loan us their beach house when it was available, and this particular visit to Long Beach, WA, we brought along my mother.
I have a vivid memory of this day. At some point during our visit to the beach, my mother and I started giggling about something — I have no idea now what it was. All I remember is that we ended up in uncontrollable (truly) hysterics. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life, nor for so long! (This may explain why our firstborn has a knack for frequently tickling the rib bones of others.) Each time we thought we had calmed down and could move on, another spurt would come, and once again, we were toast. I don’t know how we were ever able to stop, but man did that feel good! Laughter is so good for the soul, and I will always cherish that memory.
I’m going to post about my Mother’s Day from my perspective on Monday, but after posing a question on Facebook recently and collecting some wonderful responses, I’ve decided to do a Sunday Special to celebrate my own mother’s life, and the memories others have shared with me in the past couple days.
Reacting to the question, “So, what’s your favorite memory of your mother?” here are the responses:
“When she would lay in bed with me and sing songs at bedtime.” – Carol
“Watching her and my mother-in-law each polish off a BOX of wine at our grooms dinner the night before the wedding…. yes. An entire box of wine each. Also favorite memory of mother-in-law– and both ladies are a lot of fun!“ – Scott
“Her acting like she knew what you were talking about, then giggling when you busted her for not knowing.” – Tami
“For me, it was when kids at school asked if my Mom was mean at home, too. The answer? No. 🙂 She was a very sweet mother, but as many of her former students know, she was a disciplinarian at school, but with love at bottom of it all. Most of her students knew that, I think. I just knew that I got the sweet version of Mom almost always, unless I deserved otherwise! :)” – Me
“When Mum got taken for a drive, she’d sit up front with Dad driving and finally relax and her nostrils would flare with joy.” – Barbara
“Singing with Mom and my two sisters while doing dishes. We made sweet harmony!“– Pat
“My mother knew my penchant for sweets and every once in a while I’d be the only kid who’d get a secret candy bar left for me when she got home from working the over night shift at the hospital. :-). I did not share with my siblings, nor did I tell them. It was our secret, I think.” – Lori (one of five children)
I loved it when my mom would hear me coughing, due to very bad asthma, and come sit on the side of my bed no matter what time it was. She would tell me to lay on my side, which helped with the coughing, put an extra pillow under my head to elevate me a bit and would sit there gently rubbing my back until I finally drifted off to sleep…….cough magically gone….Thanks Mom! – Alysa
“Ummm…Probably the fact that no matter what I did….she always loved me back. She loved me alot.” – Shane
Is there any doubt that our mothers, no matter what our history with them, rise to the top in the end? I can only hope that someday, my children will have similarly fond memories of my time with them. Even if our mothers are no longer with us, we still have those memories, and, as I’ve found, they become all the richer over time.
A fun sidenote: Tracy Briggs of The Forum mentioned Peace Garden Mama on the Area Voices Community blog the other day. I was especially pleased that Erma Bombeck and I shared space in the same post!
Q4U: And now your turn: What’s your favorite memory of your mother?
I saw that your name was linked to Erma – how great is that! Wonderful memory of you and your mom sharing a light moment. The picture and where you were are also moments to cherish. I suppose you lost many older photos in the fire. How sad.
Blessings on this Mother’s Day! I’ve already felt loved by a pot of coffee made just for me!
Mary, Olivia just came in to ask me what I wanted for breakfast. We’re going to do a brunch before Beth’s dance recital, so she asked if I wanted coffee, and is making it now. Ah, coffee and Mother’s Day. I will miss this someday when all the birdies are off. For now, I am savoring it with you!