mother’s day

Happy Mother’s Day!

Two years after I brought it home from the garden nursery, my pineapple guava tree is finally blooming–edible flowers that, left untouched, magically transform themselves into sweet, juicy fruits. And I’m remembering today a sweet little folk tale I read when I first planted it.

“Honi and the Carob Tree” speaks to me of the quiet joys that come of communing with Mother Nature, being rocked in the cradle of our ancestors, and mothering our loved ones. Pull up a chair, and read it for yourself. Breathe deep those fragrant memories and revel in their sweetness.

One day, Honi the Circle Maker was walking on the road and saw a man planting a carob tree. Honi asked the man, “How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?”

The man replied, “Seventy years.”

Honi then asked the man, “And do you think you will live another seventy years and eat the fruit of this tree?”

The man answered, “Perhaps not. However, when I was born into this world, I found many carob trees planted by my father and grandfather. Just as they planted trees for me, I am planting trees for my children and grandchildren so they will be able to eat the fruit of these trees.”— A Talmud tale, via SPIRIT OF TREES

Because sometimes a Hallmark card just isn’t enough


Whistler's Mother Statue (Ashland, PA). Image via LittleBlackStar

Now these boys of Ashland brooked no women at their liquor-laden get- togethers, but they all had mothers and at their 1937 reunion the fellows decided something should be done to honor them. They settled on a statue of the best-known mother they could find. […] Oxidized over the years to a soft green color, she gazes up Chestnut Street, oblivious to the occasional beer bottle lying beneath her. She is enhanced by clumps of tulips growing below her. ~Philly.com

Got any special plans for Mother's Day? Breakfast in bed, or a beachside barbeque, perhaps? My sons don't live close enough for a get-together (*sniff*), but I've planned an outing with my husband. Anne Lamott (Bird by Bird, Some Assembly Required, etc.) is a featured presenter in Westwood Presbyterian Church's "Food for Thought" series, and I'm so looking forward to hearing her speak! I'll report back, of course, but in the meantime, you might enjoy reading Ms. Lamott's irreverent thoughts about Mother's Day. If nothing else, it's a courageous piece of personal truth, lovingly offered. Unmistakeably Anne.  Site Meter

Lessons from our mothers


Eva May Hutchinson, about 5 years before my birth. 

Which lessons from your mother serve a purpose when you’re writing?

I’ve been pondering this question lately, in honor of Mother’s Day. When I posed this question on Facebook, I got some wonderful responses.  I’m reposting them here, with the writers’ permission, and added my answer at the bottom. I hope they’ll inspire you, and that you’ll also chime in!

Jeannine Atkins: Never mind the dirty floors. I bless her whenever I survey the kitchen and decide to write instead of scrub. And my sister feels the same.

Victoria Nimmo-Walters:  Do it right or not at all. (I get to blame her for my strive toward perfectionism…)

Susan Taylor Brown: You can do better than that.

Kim Baccellia: Don’t let others comments get to you.

Wendy Lynn Decker: Never give up.

Gail Goetz: Why ruin a good story with the truth? Ordinary wasn’t in my mother’s vocabulary.

Erin Blakemore: Stop talking, start working! 😀

Sheryll Suva Fong: ‎ Because I said so.

I might answer differently tomorrow (next week, next year…), but for today at least, I’ll go with, “Look!”

My mother was blind to certain circumstances, inscrutable in others. But when it came to Mother Nature, she had a very keen eye. “Look,” she’d say, and in her cornflower blue eyes, I’d see the shimmery reflection of the stars. “Look,” she’d say, and it was only then that I noticed the tiny cluster of purple verbena against a vast expanse of sand. She taught me to pay attention to the smallest details, and to recognize their magic. She filled my soul with a sense of wonder, opened my eyes (and heart) to things I might otherwise have missed.  And in my own writing, I bear witness to what I’ve seen.

Mother’s Day


 

In this faded photograph, my mother is helping my sister Sheryll celebrate her first birthday. (Mmm, cake!)  Three days later, I made my grand entrance. That story, my story, would later became the centerpiece of my father’s faith-healing revival meetings.

 

I can think of so many questions I’d love to ask my mother—about these events, yes, and so many thereafter. In my Hallmark-inspired dreams, she indulges me this cozy conversation whilst we sit at my backyard bistro table, admiring the flowers and sipping Earl Gray tea. But unfortunately (and I doubt I’m alone in this), the realities of our mother-daughter relationship were far more complicated than this fantasy might suggest. She wasn’t a forthcoming individual by any means, and she took many secrets to her grave.

 

Melancholy musings, these, but maybe an important reminder, as well.   

 

Whether or not you’re writing a memoir, I encourage you to ask your mother as many questions as possible. Do it now, while she’s willing and able to answer!  Your family will appreciate that you’ve kept alive the memories of the matriarchs that helped shape their destiny. And while listening to your mother’s stories, it’s likely you’ll discover some amazing things about yourself. 
 

Looking for ways to jump-start the conversation? Consider these:

Ten Questions To Ask Your Mother Now

The Best Mother’s Day Gift Ever

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!

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Happy Mother’s Day!

I’ve been tagged to reveal a few secrets about moi. Okay, I’m game. Here are nine things you may not know about Melodye, aka Mom.

  1. When my second son was born, the doctor said, “It’s a boy!” But I wanted a little girl, so I said, “Sh*t!” One look at my beautiful baby, though, and I was smitten. This memory serves as a reminder – as if I needed one – that I’m anything but perfect.
  2. I pretended I was mad, but I loved it when my kids would shuffle into my bedroom in their footed pajamas and prop my eyes open with their tiny thumbs and forefingers. “Mom? Mom? MOM! You awake? Come play with us!”
  3. I smile every time I look at this hand-painted ceramic tile. (Looks just like me, doesn’t it?) Homemade gifts are awesome!
  4. Favorite fragrance in the whole wide world? The top of my newborn babies’ heads.
  5. Best bouquet? Freshly picked dandelions, in a Tweety Bird sippy cup.
  6. Much-loved ritual? Reading bedtime stories until my sons surrendered to the Sand Man.
  7. Most important piece of motherly advice: Follow your own yellow brick road, but remember that there’s no place like home.
  8. Best memory: Every moment is priceless. Pain or pleasure, celebration or sorrow, it’s all part of being a mommy.
  9. If I could choose any two people in the world to be my sons, I’d always choose the ones I was blessed with.

I tag every mother and child that wants to play.