Mother's Day 2009

Ok, can I just go shallow for a minute here and say that my Mom is so gorgeous - just look at her!!

So anyway. It's Mother's Day. The day you hang out with your mom and eat quiche and cookies and exchange gifts and laugh all day (I started to write giggle, but in our family the women don't giggle - we flat-out LAUGH) and wash the dishes and go home happy and content and loved.

Most years.

This year, Mother's Day looks like this:
Poor Malachi is on day five of the flu. As the week wore on and his fever didn't go down, I came to the realization that this year I wouldn't be with my Mom on Mother's Day. We had a plan - church in the morning, then over to Alif's parents' house for a few hours with his Mom, then hop in the car and travel a couple hours to my sister's and be with them and my Mom the rest of the day, then return home around the kids' bedtime.

The best-laid plans . . .

So. I guess I thought that having such nice plans ruined by illness would be really upsetting. After all, the opportunities to spend time with my sister and my Mom are pretty rare, and we are as close as three peas in a pod. Add in a bunch of cousins and husbands who really enjoy each other, and you've got a super fun day. The weird thing is, though, I'm really not upset. I wish I were with my Mom and sister, no doubt about it. There's just something in my spirit that needs the quiet today, and I guess (I guess?? I *know*!) God knew that.

When Caris woke up this morning, she came out of her room with flowers in hand. She's been counting down the days until Mother's Day and to know that she planned that and couldn't wait to deliver them was so sweet.

I did go to church, and got happy news there that I can't share yet but will when I can. I walked hand-in-hand with my daughter and felt so loved and in love. We stopped on the way home and got donuts and a newspaper and orange juice. Caris gave me even more gifts (consisting of some of her toys and creations). Graham washed my car and cleaned the kitchen. Alif watched videos with me on youtube. Even Man Cold!

Then everyone went down for naps and Alif went to hang out with his Mom, and he's still there - well, he came home and got the three well children when they got up from naps. And hey - there's quiche in the oven.

Happy Mother's Day to me!!

P.S. Dear Mom, I love you more than words can say. You ARE beautiful, inside and out, and I am SO LUCKY that you're my Mom. Happy Mother's Day! I can't wait until we celebrate!