"Ode to Mommy"

I don't really recall my first Mother's Day. I am sure it was lovely with a brunch at the Club and a bouquet of flowers. I do, however, vividly recall my second Mother's Day, more fondly now then I did at the time.

It came during a very sad time. My father in law had recently died and my husband Mark, son Ned and I had went with his mother to the Florida Keys to clean out and sell the house that she and my father in law had lived in part time. It was called "Land's End" and was truly at the end of the land. It was on a point on Marathon Key and had a beautiful view of the ocean. We had many happy memories there - it was where we had honeymooned when we were first married, the place where Ned was more then likely conceived...

We had been there almost a week. Cleaning out clothes, hauling things to the Salvation Army or the local Thrift store or just packing up to be sent back to Minnesota. The memories were bittersweet, all the more because we knew a place that we had treasured would soon be gone.

We were to fly home that Sunday. We were all exhausted both emotionally and physically. Ned had come down with an ear infection so he wasn't cranky and restless.

It was a long drive from the Key's to Miami where we were catching our plane. At the gas station, Mark came back out the to car with a rose for me and for his Mom, always the thoughtful husband and son. "Don't worry honey, after we drop Mum off at home, I will take you and Ned out to eat to celebrate Mother's Day" he promised.

We had smooth sailing all the way to the airport. We checked our luggage and found out that our seats were together, but the last row of the plane. Not a problem we thought. We will had Ned (who was almost 2 at the time) be able to spread out between the three of us. We were sure he would sleep during the 4.5 hour trip home.

The first inkling that things were not going to be so rosy came upon take off. The Captain came over the loudspeaker and said we might have some turbulence, but don't worry, we have it under control. The flight attendants served the meal and Ned settled down in Mark's lap after finishing a large cup of milk. He looked like a little angel. About an hour later, we ran into turbulence. The plane was shaking and shuddering like a bucking bronco. Poor Ned was screaming much to the dismay of his parent and Grandmother. The people ahead of us were complaining about the noise. Oh, if it had only remained that way.

Ned suddenly decided he only wanted his Mom. He dove over Grandma and landed in my lap and promptly threw up all over me. Using amamzing accuracy in such a small space he managed only to get me.

Did I mention that I was 8.5 months pregnant? Did I mention that faced with throw up, I tend to get sick myself? Did I mention that this was the one time I did not have a carry on with a change of clothes? Did I mention that Ned was happy as a clam once his tummy was empty?
The turburlance was so bad, the flight attendants couldn't get up. I soon felt a warm wet towel tossed my way, followed by another one. Once things settled down, I was able to go to the restroom and attempt to clean up. When we finally got to the parking ramp elevator, two girls who were getting one with us started gagging "What is that smell?" They asked. "Ode to Mommy." Mark replied.

Needless to say, we didn't go out that night. I have never had a shower that felt so good. My mother in law's parting words were "Just think Honey, next year has to be better."

A Mother's Day

This is my 18th mother's day. It is hard to believe that 18 years ago, I was holding a newborn baby boy and this year I am holding an almost grown up man. So much has happened over those past 18 years. Tears, laughter, pain and joy. I can still see the sweet smile of a mischievous 2 year old looking out at me behind my son's eyes. The lovely card he gave me reminds me of the grubby card he made especially for me in kindergarten. The two little boys stopping by the side of our yard, asking me if they could pick the pretty purple flowers, reminds me of the bouquets of dandelions I have received over the years.

I look at my son and in an instant can see the young boy he was and the man he has yet to become. As he stands at the threshold of a new life, I remember the day he was born and my mother in law saying to me. "I can remember when Mark's grandmother stood at the foot of my bed when he was born and said 'treasure the time, because it goes by so fast'" Truer words were never said. But what she didn't say was that every year, we store up more memories to treasure.