What do you do with your mother on Mother's Day?

Tags

Comments (22)

Comment Feed

My mother lives in Ontario so

My mother lives in Ontario so I give her a call. For the past 5 years I have told the story of her life on stage every Mother's Day with other actors who've written about their moms. The show is called My Mother's Story and every year features different stories juxtaposed together. I call my mother and say "I'm telling your story again" and she says, "Oh no, not again!" but she's pleased. She can't believe that anyone would be interested let alone laugh and cry. This year we filmed the show so she'll be able to see what all the fuss is about.

Marilyn Norry more than 13 years ago

This year we had a “planting

This year we had a “planting bee,” which was hard on the back but good for the soul. Mum got to decide where to put the sunflowers, and the two-and-only grandchildren helped plant the geraniums -- then had a water fight. When I see the annuals in bloom, I will be reminded of this special time we spent together in the garden.

np more than 13 years ago

For Mother's Day, I visit

For Mother's Day, I visit with my mom and listen to her mixed-up, wonderfully wacky stories from the past. She has Alzheimer's, so her stories are these crazy blends of several events all at once. It's fun!

Liz more than 13 years ago

I shall first join Ann in

I shall first join Ann in dutifully visiting her Mother and will hopefully not be thumped on the head with a leather bound bible too often. Will also try to avoid inappropriate, wet smooches on the lips from her step dad, while keeping the conversation as benign and non-confrontational as possible.
Afterwards, we shall head up for a visit to my Mom and partake in an afternoon of easy-going conversation and laughter. We'll all go together on some beautiful flowers for her patio and Mom and Dad will be happy to see everyone (as usual).

Connie more than 13 years ago

You are a bigger person than

You are a bigger person than I, but good for you to put aside the hurt that your mother's lack of acceptance has surely caused you and spend time with her on Mother's day!! By her including your partner in the festivities, maybe this is her baby steps to acceptance. Good luck and try to enjoy!!!

Traci more than 13 years ago

You are a bigger person than

You are a bigger person than I, but good for you to put aside the hurt that your mother's lack of acceptance has surely caused you and spend time with her on Mother's day!! By her including your partner in the festivities, maybe this is her baby steps to acceptance. Good luck and try to enjoy!!!

Traci more than 13 years ago

Dear Geist,

Your question

Dear Geist,

Your question made me sad. I don't do anything with her because she passed away in April 1993.

She was born November 14 1918 (flu epidemic) and her parents considered calling her Victoria Jane but instead opted for Edna May.

Never did figure that one out. The Victoria had to do with the end of the first world war and Jane was a family name so that all made sense.

Don't know where the name Edna May came from but it was certainly a unique name and I guess it was fitting because my mom was unique.

When she passed away a family friend said to me, "Well she was a character and if I had to describe her I would have to say she was Ma Barker - Carol Burnett - Mother Theresa all rolled into one person.

I do think about my mom alot. I have many things in my life that remind me of my mom and for that I am grateful. She was a good person.

There are still times when I wish I could just call my mom on the phone and have a good conversation and tell her a bit of what has happened (she would never believe it!) and get her view on it all. My husband always says to me, "Well, Marion, I'm glad you can't call her because that would be one helluva long distance bill!"

When my mom was very ill and near to death she said that she didn't like the thought of being somewhere and watching over what all was going on.

She figured that she had seen more than enough of life and was looking forward to a good, long rest. Adding to that she had decided that she wouldn't like it at all if all she could do was watch what was going on and not do anything about it or offer her two cents!

So, mom where ever you ended up I do hope that you are still enjoying a well deserved rest.

And for those out you out there who still have a mom who has a telephone - call her!

Marion Pilger more than 13 years ago

I will do what I have done

I will do what I have done every day for the past two years - since I stopped working for a paycheck and became her primary companion and personal assistant. I'll comb, braid and pin up her hair, still naturally dark and thick, completely covering her back when it's loose. I'll put in the hearing aids she's had to use for the past year. I'll help her finish the daily crossword in the newspaper, organize her pills, do the breakfast dishes, make the bed. Since it's a Sunday, I'll drive her to church, probably pick up a friend of hers on the way. I'll join her for coffee after church, bring her home, make our lunch. If it's a nice day, we'll go for a walk in her neighbourhood, watch the little kids in the playground, admire the gardens, stop to talk to dogs. We may play Scrabble or Cribbage. We may do some weeding or planting in her flowerbeds. She lives in the house she and my Dad built in 1950, and it needs a lot of TLC. We'll laugh a lot, and talk about the family members who aren't there, and then come back to my house for supper, which my husband and sons will have made for us both.
She's 93 - she likes her life, and I like being part of it. We learn things from each other every day.

Marjorie Dawn more than 13 years ago

You will win her over with

You will win her over with your culinary prowess and confidence in who you are. It is your mother's day too and you deserve to feel happy. Many blessings over you and your family on this special day!

Sam more than 13 years ago

I will devise a delicious

I will devise a delicious repast that I will bring to her apartment along with my girlfriend (who is being allowed to join) and my two kids. The visit will be kept to approximately 2 hours so as to not allow conversation to drift too far towards uncomfortable topics. In summary, duty will be duly performed. I hope that my Mom will be able to get some enjoyment out of her day, despite her profound disapproval and disappointment in her lesbian daughter and her lesbian ways.

Ann more than 13 years ago

My mom lives in a different

My mom lives in a different city, so I usually give her a call and a rain cheque for a super fun time with me the next time we see each other.

Alana more than 13 years ago

I will hope that the flowers

I will hope that the flowers arrived and that they are indeed as beautiful as she will surely tell me they are. We'll talk on the phone and she will make me laugh out loud at least once. My sister will be with her and they will go out for dinner and come home and drink wine while answering the calls from the rest of her kids and her grandchildren. At 89 she has crawled out from under a heavy weight of grief and is a joy to be around. She is every lesson she tried to teach us and is as adored as she deserves to be.

LD more than 13 years ago

I will hope that the flowers

I will hope that the flowers arrived and that they are indeed as beautiful as she will surely tell me they are. We'll talk on the phone and she will make me laugh out loud at least once. My sister will be with her and they will go out for dinner and come home and drink wine while answering the calls from the rest of her kids and her grandchildren. At 89 she has crawled out from under a heavy weight of grief and is a joy to be around. She is every lesson she tried to teach us and is as adored as she deserves to be.

LD more than 13 years ago

I will envy everyone who had

I will envy everyone who had a mother.

D.W.T. more than 13 years ago

Usually we all get together

Usually we all get together for brunch or dinner.

This year, we're bellydancing. My mom decided to start "living" when she turned 79, and we've been learning bellydancing together ever since. She's 81 this year, and on mother's day we're performing with a group of amazing women.

Q more than 13 years ago

I remember my last visit with

I remember my last visit with Mom. Her dementia had taken her to a "happy pink" place. We sat together on a settee, side by side, arm in arm, hand in hand, watching a video of a sing-a-long at a senior's residence. The old tunes were familiar to Mom and she hummed along, kept time occasionally and enjoyed the moment. It was a very special moment. Nothing said and yet she was still giving me gifts and lessons to live by.

Stan H more than 13 years ago

I light a candle and wish I

I light a candle and wish I could visit her grave.

DianeG more than 13 years ago

visit her grave...

visit her grave...

datakleptomanik more than 13 years ago

Send her flowers and hope

Send her flowers and hope that all 5 of my siblings don't do the same or she'll think she's in a funeral parlour.

pattyo more than 13 years ago

Try to remind her that I was

Try to remind her that I was worth having.

Dan Post more than 13 years ago

My mom lives in Ontario, so

My mom lives in Ontario, so I'll give her a call and then go teach the Geist Self-Editing workshop! www.geist.com/workshops/art-self-editing

Sarah Maitland more than 13 years ago

give her presents i forgot to

give her presents i forgot to get her for christmas

kristin more than 13 years ago

ADVICE FOR THE LIT-LORN
WRITING QUESTIONS, QUANDARIES & PICKLES

Can you recommend a straightforward short book or series to help our writing group get better at writing? Thanks!

—The Montana Deep Sunrise gals

Read our answer here!

---
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH GEIST
---
EMAIL
FIRST NAME
LAST NAME
PROVINCE

Blogs