My dad spent two weeks with us after we lost my mom. It was wonderful and therapeutic having him here. I think it’s been harder since he left because he is my closest connection to my mom and his presence was comforting. While he was here, we visited a local rose garden, a fitting outing since my mom loved gardening and has more than 100 varieties of roses in her yard. Well, my dad says there may be fewer now that he has taken over. 😉
I don’t think I was prepared for how difficult it would be to figure out the new normal. I’ve lost loved ones before, but it is different when it’s a parent. It is exhausting, both physically and emotionally, and I miss her terribly. Thankfully, the boys are a wonderful distraction. Their needs keep me busy and focused.
Tomorrow we will spend the morning at baseball and then we might head out of town for the night. I haven’t actually spent Mother’s Day with my mom for many years, especially since becoming a mom myself. However, this particular holiday is hitting me hard as it hasn’t even been a month since we lost her. And yet, I know that the mother I am today is largely because of the way she raised me and the example she set. It wasn’t easy to walk away from a career that I loved, but having her at home when I was little meant that I wanted to do the same for our family. I so wish that she was still here to watch my boys grow, but I am thankful that we had her in our lives as long as we did. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mamas out there!
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You were blessed with wonderful parents – some of the best I have ever known. Now you and your hubby are continuing that legacy, which is a joy to watch. I just found a letter she wrote to me, talking about your decision to become a full time mom, and in it she said: “I’m just glad that Abby knows what she wants and has no regrets. She’s so in love with E and being his mommy, and I sure enjoy watching her as a mommy.” Have a happy Mother’s Day, Abby!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I love you and am so thankful for your friendship and encouragement.