Yesterday was Mother's Day, and I probably should have journaled then. But, I gave myself a break. After all, it was Mother's Day, and I'm a mama (or momma... How is that spelled anyway?)
Started the day the usual way with coffee and protein... and my little guy. Good way to start the day. I'd thought and thought about how to celebrate my mom today and hubby's mom... Should I buy them a gift? Nah... it'll just sit and collect dust in their already filled homes. I decided time together would be best and some loving words... and maybe some love from the kitchen. So, I got started... Son and I just picked fresh strawberries a few days ago. Tons of fun that left us with a fridge full... That's it - strawberry pie for mom. She loves it. A special treat. Hmm... chocolate covered strawberries for mom-in-law. She'll appreciate that. Made them, boxed them nicely with pink tissue paper and ribbons. Gifts of love from the kitchen ready... Cards signed with loving words from hubby and me... and we're off... But, wait... I love flowers on Mother's Day. They will too. Clipped a few gardenias for each of them... Ahh, gardenias...
First stop to see the Mother-In-Law... Little boy standing at the glass window with card in hand. "I have a card for you, Grandmother..." She melted. Success. A short visit. We love her and appreciate her. She's the best I could ever hope for.
Next stop... to visit MY MOM. How to sum up my mom? She's the most generous and giving person I've ever met. She loves and adores her grandchildren. She's had a life which has hardened her a bit, but she still laughs and gets joy out of little things. I am so grateful for her. She has taught me many things and has instilled in me a strength and independence I would not have if it weren't for her. I love my mom... I love the memories... for there are many...
As I was sitting and thinking last night after our daily visits, I thought of my Grandmothers ~ one Italian and one Southern. How I miss them both! I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to learn from both of these strong-willed women. I am thankful for them... for the stories they shared, the memories we created, their recipes I tasted... that I still try to recreate... They just don't come out the same...
I remember Nannie at her kitchen table with the sound of the air conditioner humming in the background and fans buzzing on a hot summer day with the tea kettle on and something yummy on the stove (fried chicken probably). I wish I could go back to that kitchen table... just one more time. She loved gardening, and I remember loving her daffodils. I miss her.
Grandma in the kitchen... making "gravy" (tomato sauce) for an Italian feast... manicotti, fresh bread, salad, meatballs, eggplant... dessert... cream puffs or Italian wedding cookies... I can still smell it. She'd slip me some money... "Don't tell Grandpa", she'd say... I want to go back to her dining room table one more time. I miss her.
... and it hits me how important it is to continue these visits to see my mom and my mother-in-law... for these will be my son's memories... and no one will make a meal like his Sheemee or Grandmother.
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