Thoughts on this Mother’s Day…

(Left: my mom and me… 1985 – right: me and Lilly… 2014)

I know, I know. Another Mother’s Day post. I’m sure you’re seeing them left and right.

So, what’s one more?

This year is, by far, the Mother’s Day with the biggest mix of emotions for me. Ever since my mom died, Mother’s Day has always been tough for me. But this year is different. This year I’m a mom (stating the obvious) and this year Mother’s Day means a lot to me – more than I can really accurately express.

A friend shared this article on Facebook the other day, Mother’s Day for the Motherless Mother, and I feel like it basically articulated everything I’m thinking and feeling. I sat with tears streaming down my face as I read the words on the screen saying things like, “Yes” “Yep” and  “Oh my gosh… this.”

I’m not going to try and write something profound or add anything to it… but this Mother’s Day, I am the motherless mother. There are so many things that are hard about not having my mom around… but when I look into Lilly’s eyes and see her smile at me or when she tackles a new milestone or does something just so insanely cute… all I want to do is pick up the phone and call my mom.

I so wish I could have seen my mom as a grandmother. She would have been the BEST.

I am all too aware that this post is in the danger zone of getting rambly and word-vomity… so I’ll just leave it at this…

On this Mother’s Day… hug your mother. Hug your son. Hug your daughter. Hug the woman in your life who has been like a mother to you… hug them extra hard. Tell them how much you love them and appreciate them. Don’t let another day pass without letting them know exactly how you feel about them.

If you see a mom in a store, offer to help her with her grocery bags. Pat her on the back. Tell her she’s doing a great job.

Send some love out into the world this weekend… or how about every day?

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas.