Photo credit: Martha Brettschneider / Damselwings Photography
It’s Mother’s Day morning. With each passing year, I become more aware of how complex and sometimes fraught this holiday is. I am now in the minority of my friends whose mothers are still with us. I have friends who have lost children. I have friends whose journeys didn’t include biological children.
What unites us today? We all have a mother to thank for being here. Our mothers were the first to hold us, to love us, to have hopes and dreams for us. As they gazed into our newborn faces, our mothers’ deepest wish was for their child to become a happy, healthy, and vibrant adult.
So today, instead of sending out an autopilot “Happy Mother’s Day,” I ask you, “What would your mother say to you in this chapter of your life?”
Take a few minutes to settle into stillness, maybe with a few longer deeper breaths, then drop in the question “What can I do for myself today to honor my mother’s wishes for me?”
Listen carefully. Maybe even write the answer down for encouragement. Then turn towards the gift of this May day (gorgeous here in Northern Virginia!) and do something for yourself that sparks joy to celebrate your mother. For me, it’s brunch with my 92-year-old mom, then an overdue visit with my garden.
With gratitude and wishes for your continued flourishing,
Martha
PS – If one of the things your mother might wish for you is a little more presence, my 30-Day Mindfulness Meditation Challenge begins tomorrow. Later this month, the Sage Photography Experience at Meadowlark Botanic Gardens is another invitation to slow down and connect with life through a creative lens.
