This year’s Mother’s Day is going to be simply marvelous, darlings! It is hard to believe I will be sharing the day with my mother, both daughters, and several Grands! Four generations of family together. This rarely happens in our family because we don’t have the luxury of living miles apart… we live states apart!

My Mother’s Day last year was the exact opposite of the one about to occur. No family! Looking back, I am amazed the day turned out to be so heartfelt; filling my cup with love, laughter and contentment. It did not start that way!

I was not looking forward to Mother’s Day 2015. I felt a sense of ‘loneliness’ the entire week leading up to the day because I knew I would not be sharing the day with my family.

My daughter, Jenny,and her family and my grandson Robbie usually spent Mother’s Day with me in Rancho Mirage. This year Jenny would be in Europe. Robbie, just married, was spending the day with his new family. I thought about flying into Chicago to be with my mother but my mom and I decided we would celebrate the following week upon my return to Chicago for the season. The rest of ‘my gang’ is scattered across America; thanks to the inventors of the airplane, Orville and Wilbur Wright! I was really in a funk.

My thoughts turned to my daughters. As their mother I strived in my daily conduct to be a good role model. And now I wondered…

“What are my daughter’s most inner thoughts about their mother?”

I knew they loved me. And yet, I wondered to myself, “do they admire the example I set? Did their observations of my actions set a standard they want to emulate as young mothers, wives and women in their community?”

I pray so. It is every mother’s dream to be loved, respected and admired by our children. Right, my darlings?

Mother’s Day arrived. My husband, Shelly, served me coffee and sweet rolls with a Mother’s Day card sealed with a kiss. After reading the card and thanking him, I said,

“The phone hasn’t rung yet?”

“Don’t worry everyone will call you!” was his reply.

“Well it is 10:00am and the phone’s not ringing,” I replied.

Just then,the phone rang!

“Good morning” (I always answer our phone with a “good morning!”) I said in a cheery voice.

It was my grandson, Scott, calling from Austin, Texas,

“Hey Honey, Happy Mother’s Day! What’s up? What are you doing today? What kids have you heard from.”

After answering his first three questions I answered his last with,

“You are my first call.”

“Your first call and you have twenty Grandchildren! I can’t believe it! No one’s called you yet!”

I felt a twinge in my heart and then went on to say, “Well you did! Your telephone call makes me very happy and I’ll remember you were the first to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day. We hung up saying, “Love ya.”

Shelly and I left home, within the next hour, to meet ‘other lonely parents’ for brunch at a location that did not allow phones. No way was I going to leave my iPhone at home!

“What if one of the family called, emailed or texted?”

I would put my phone on vibrate and place it next to me on the table.

Suddenly, my phone began to vibrate with phone calls, text messages and e-mails. The Grands were calling, e-mailing and texting! The Grands remembered!  During the course of the day each of my grandchildren remembered their Honey.

I was very happy. Their messages were adorable and loving. I was in 7th heaven.

However, nothing from my daughters! It was after 4:00pm.

“Oh well!” I thought to myself. They’re still living on Hawaiian Time!!

My girls were raised in the Hawaiian Islands.  Being on time was definitely not the norm! In Hawaii fifteen minutes late was considered ‘being on time.’

I sit down at my computer to check my emails. I opened my inbox. I saw two emails from my daughter, Jenny!  The first arrived at 9:33am. The second explained that she had accidently sent it to my old email address! Her 9:33am e-mail was attached. “She was on time!” I smiled to myself, as I clicked into her email and read her Mother’s Day letter.

Dear Mom,

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!

I hope you have a very happy day!!!

When I think about the times we shared together…I smile, laugh, cry, ponder and think…introspectively…

The “good “ examples you have taught me over the years coupled with your wisdom are treasured.

Time has gone by quickly…

Life has been so happy, so joyful and exciting as well as disappointing and difficult.

I teach my kids that there is always sunshine and rainbows after the rain… your sentence to me mom and from my personal perspective and observation growing up in Hawaii.

You have always been an optimist, a doer and a woman who is admired for your strength and tenacity in life.

I wish you a Happy and Healthy Mother’s Day and an exciting adventurous year to come…

With lot of LOVE and APPRECIATION for having me, raising me and teaching me about love, life, and FASHION!

Your Jenny

My daughter answered my prayers.  She approved of my mothering. I felt treasured, darlings! Just treasured!

I then wondered why I hadn’t heard from my other daughter!

Shelly and I left home to meet a large group of friends for dinner. I was looking forward to the evening. I took my iPhone because I knew I would hear from her.

At 8: 00pm my cell phone rang. “MOM…Happy Mother’s Day! The kids were celebrating me all day, mom. I am exhausted! I have not had a moment to just sit down and call you. I know you understand. I love you mom. Did you get my card and gift?”

“I am so happy you called! I am so glad you had a wonderful day!  I did not get your gift!”

“Run out to your mailbox and check, mom! I will wait.”

The gift was in our mailbox! I had not picked up our Saturday mail.

I put the phone on speaker; carefully opened a beautiful hand written note with loving words …my teaching of writing a personal note had rubbed off on her, I thought to myself and smiled! I opened my present. It was a small translucent porcelain dish with three written words inscribed in the porcelain…I love you.

“Thank you my darling daughter. I love my gift. You know how sentimental I am.

I already know where this beautiful little dish will be placed.

“You were my last call of the day but your words I love you are the first and last words every mother wants to hear. I love you to the moon and more.

Earlier in the day, my third daughter Jami, (my daughter-in-law,) phoned. We spoke forever. We always do. I love her.

I remember lying in bed that night, almost one year ago, feeling so uplifted! I remember exactly what I thought. “I live a charmed life. I am loved and cherished by my family. They didn’t forget…to remember. I set a good example.” Amen. And I closed my eyes with a smile on my face.

Happy Mother’s Day darlings!