Tag Archives: mothers

May14

Mother’s Day Moments

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Mother’s Day Moments

I’ve come full circle when it comes to celebrating Mother’s Day—as a child, as a mother and as a grandmother. There are some special moments I recall in every phase. I’ll begin with childhood.

At school we always made Mother’s Day cards. At home I would also make my own cards as well. My dad always encouraged us to make this day a special one for my mom. Growing up like that I thought that was the norm; that was what all families did. It wasn’t until I got married that I found out that not all families were like that.

My first Mother’s Day as a married woman I was told by my ex that I wasn’t his mother so there was no reason to celebrate. Once we had kids that changed, mainly because my kids were into making that day a special one for me. They made cards and art projects at school, Cubs and Girl Guides. I still have a few of those tucked away.

As a grandmother, that means my daughter is a mother. Video calls with my daughter and granddaughter have to suffice as we live in different countries and have yet to be together on Mother’s Day.

The last time I saw both of my kids together on Mother’s Day was in 2007. My daughter was away in 2008 and in 2009 I was returning from a mission trip with my church. In 2010 I was already living in Mexico.

That first Mother’s Day in Mexico was interesting because May 10th is the day to celebrate regardless of what day of the week it falls on. None of this second Sunday in May. Mothers are truly honored. There is a lot more to it than just going out for brunch or dinner or giving your mother a card or a gift..

A few years ago I had this gut feeling that I wanted to go back to Winnipeg and see my son on Mother’s Day. And I’m glad I went with my gut. Thanks to Covid, I didn’t see my son again for four years (or maybe five years, depending on who you talk to.)

Many years have gone by since I hosted family gatherings for Mother’s Day. One of my grandmothers died when I was a young child, the other one died when my son was a year old and my mother died in 1996. I usually go to church on Mother’s Day and sometimes go out for brunch with friends after. I receive an annual text from my son and a call from my daughter. I wish I could travel back in time to when we were all together on Mother’s Day. If only I could relive even one moment. Those memories are now treasures in my heart.

I’m going to visit my mom today. No, I won’t be in Winnipeg and I won’t be going to the cemetery. But I do have photos I’ve taken when she was still alive. And I do have photos I’ve taken when I have been able to go to the cemetery. They’re all on my Seagate and I will spend some time with them this afternoon.

Happy Mother’s Day everyone! Enjoy your day!

May29

Another Tragedy

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Another Tragedy

A week ago at this time, millions of us in the world had never even heard of Uvalde, Texas. Now we can’t get it out of our heads. The sad part is that the focus should be on the senseless killing of innocent children and teachers, of the injured including the shooter’s own grandmother. Instead it has become a political gong show about who is to blame. This makes the tragedy even worse.

Accounts detailing the shooter’s biography are chilling. A victim of bullying. A history of violence. A son of a drug addict. And most disturbing that he legally purchased two rifles prior to the shooting and posted photos on his Instagram account.

My kids attended a private elementary school back in the 80s in Canada. The school had a security system and the doors were always locked. Here we are decades later and Robb Elementary had a door left propped open. With the track record here in the USA regarding school shootings, a door propped open during school hours? Absolutely reprehensible!

The mother instinct is a strong one. How dare they handcuff a woman who in desperation was trying to protect her children! Other angry parents begged for the Kevlar vests that the police had because law enforcement merely sat back and didn’t do anything. Perhaps more mothers are needed on the police forces.

My heart goes out to the families of the victims. I can only imagine how helpless they felt while the shooting was going on and how horrific the grieving is now that it’s over. We need to pray not only for these families, but for all of America, a country in crisis.

People First NOT Politics First.

Apr13

My Daughter

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My Daughter

As a mother you always want to protect your children. You love them and pray for them and want only good things for them.

They grow up and make career choices. My daughter pursued a career in culinary arts but wanted more of a challenge after working as a chef for a couple of years. She then chose nursing as a second career. She has worked mainly as an ICU nurse for the past several years.

Her mother faints at the sight of blood. So to say that I am nervous about her work is an understatement. And in view of what’s going on right now with COVID-19 I am even more so.

But at the same time I am extremely proud of my daughter. The hospital where she works is in Kelowna, BC in Canada. She assures me they have adequate supplies and are taking every precaution.

The other day I What’s App’d her to see if it was a good time to call. The featured photo in this post was her reply. This photo was taken at the nurse’s desk. She told me she puts on even more garb when she goes into a patient’s room.

I feel a tiny bit more reassured but I still worry. It’s really hard to sit back and watch her face the danger and uncertainty she experiences regularly. This is something I can’t protect her from.

Stay safe Kimmy. Love you lots!

Apr7

Mothers On My Mind

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Mothers On My Mind

April 5th was my mother’s birthday. She would have celebrated her 105th birthday that day. But sadly she passed away more than twenty years ago. And the last time we were together on Mother’s Day was in 1996. Cell phones with cameras weren’t around yet, and somehow we just didn’t drag out a real camera that day to take photos. At the time, my son was fifteen and my daughter was twelve. And the only pictures I have of that day are those etched in my mind and in my heart forever.

It was a glorious sunny day in Winnipeg, unseasonably warm and the snow had already disappeared. I had prepared brunch that day at home. I still recall the menu vividly………..salad, quiche, fresh fruit and a lemon trifle for dessert. We wanted to spend a quiet, leisurely time at home rather than fight the crowds in the restaurants. My mother was scheduled for surgery that week, a surgery that tragically took her life.

This year I will be back in Winnipeg for Mother’s Day. Instead of a virtual visit to the cemetery on my laptop, I will be able to visit in person, a routine I followed every year after her death until I moved away several years ago.

And I am a mother as well. I fondly recall the last time I spent Mother’s Day with both of my children back in 2009. My daughter made a lovely brunch and this time we did take pictures. 

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My daughter has since moved to Ontario, but I have been able to spend time with my son on Mother’s Day when I have come back to visit. Here is a shot of us back in 2013. 

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It’s been a while since I’ve been with both of my kids on Mother’s Day but last year they were both together in Toronto and sent me this lovely photo.

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Another memorable Mother’s Day was the first one I spent in Mexico. I was living in Culiacan. Juan and I taught together, and he and his wife Lucila had adopted me into their family. At the time they had a toddler named Juan Carlos. We went out for raspados and went to a park. Lucila had made a bracelet for me which I treasure and still wear.

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So I have had mothers on my mind this month, although Mother’s Day in Mexico is on May 10th and in Canada it’s on May 14th.

I am looking forward to spending Mother’s Day this year with my son. It will be the highlight of my visit to Winnipeg. Kyle be warned. There will be photos.