Today is Mothers' day here in the Uk
On the way home from work, I noticed that people were walking about clutching the odd bunch of flowers or a potted plant, presents obviously destined for moms at home and as I was feeding the chickens this lunchtime I couldn't help noticing that there was a steady stream of visitors to the graveyard. Visitors who again were wandering around with bunches of daffs wrapped up in silver foil.
I was orphaned at the age of 40, and so Mothering Sunday has generally passed me by in more recent years. I am not one for grave visiting either, I have no need to do so, for me personally there is no comfort in that sort of pilgrimage.
On that level, I am very lucky.
Anyhow
To all you mothers out there!
Enjoy your bunches of spring flowers and boxes of chocolates...
I am sure you all deserve a great deal more.
On the way home from work, I noticed that people were walking about clutching the odd bunch of flowers or a potted plant, presents obviously destined for moms at home and as I was feeding the chickens this lunchtime I couldn't help noticing that there was a steady stream of visitors to the graveyard. Visitors who again were wandering around with bunches of daffs wrapped up in silver foil.
I was orphaned at the age of 40, and so Mothering Sunday has generally passed me by in more recent years. I am not one for grave visiting either, I have no need to do so, for me personally there is no comfort in that sort of pilgrimage.
On that level, I am very lucky.
Anyhow
To all you mothers out there!
Enjoy your bunches of spring flowers and boxes of chocolates...
I am sure you all deserve a great deal more.
 |
| My mother was a bit of a character! |
Thank you John. All my kiddiwinks live on the other side of the world now, so won't be visiting today. But dear Mr EM has arranged a special treat of a bottle of fizz and a comfy seat in front of the TV for the England v Italy rugby match. Bless.
ReplyDeletePut your feet up
Delete!
Hmm, I'm with you. Not much of a grave-visitor, and I was orphaned by 33. And of course I'm not a mother myself, although occasionally the cats and dogs cough up a gift for me! :)
ReplyDeleteCheers to all the good mothers out there!
I do not visit graves. It makes no sense to me because they are gone.
ReplyDeleteI visit memories.
Happy Mother's Day to you. You have many that you "mother".
Ta Gail x
DeleteSame here John. Mum died when I was 29 and Dad 2 years later. Neither of them believed in grave visiting, besides I'd have a job as their ashes are scattered on Lindisfarne, Bamburgh and Cresswell beach in Northumberland, Coventry City football club memorial garden and the footwell of my old Peugeot 206! :D I did get a card from my dogs tho
ReplyDeleteMy dogs forgot me
DeleteFunny...I love to wander grave yards but I have never visited my parents resting place. I visit them every day in my heart.
ReplyDeleteLike me...perhaps you don't need to
DeleteTulips and chocolate cake for me John - lovely but thinking of the calories, glad it only comes round once a year.
ReplyDeleteYou remind me that this mother's day--two months from now--will be a difficult one for Miss Chef. I'm glad there are others who find no interest in visiting a gravesite. I'd rather visit the favorite places of a loved one and keep company through happy memories.
ReplyDeleteAnd to think on my blog, you commented how unhappy you were to be likened to your dad. Just thank your lucky stars they didn't say your mum.
ReplyDeleteLLX
We are more alike than I could ca re to admit
DeleteMy mum died ten years ago and I miss her every day, which is something that has taken me by surprise as I didn't always talk to her every day.
ReplyDeleteMother's Day is the one day that it still hurts, maybe because we make a fuss of my mother-in-law and that just reminds me that I haven't got one any more.
Silly really.
Not silly at all. I chose to spend today on my own cos my BF's Mum just doesn't measure up to mine. Done myself out of a slap up dinner but this year I didn't feel like pretending anymore
DeleteNo note silly at all...you feel what you feel x
DeleteWe're under two inches of snow again here today, so my usual little hand picked posy has not appeared. Nice chocolates though.....I might as well just glue them to my thighs and have done with it.
ReplyDeletePervert
DeleteI never bother with Mothers' Day, it's always seemed a bit artificial to me. I think my 90 year old mum in England probably values our weekly phone chats more than an annual box of chocs.
ReplyDeleteMother's rule the world, some quietly and others not so quietly. Whatever the case they deserve a bow and a medal!
ReplyDeleteHappy "Throw Momma from the Train" Day, John! I can't stop laughing!
ReplyDeleteThere is no comfort in our pilgrimage to our parents graves John. I just go to show respect place some flowers and shed a tear or ten. It's a sad day and fitting day to reflect on our parents love for us and what they did.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish I would go......I just don't want to I guess
DeleteI try really hard to take flowers to people while they're still alive. I have remembered my parents by telling my son stories about them often. He never got to meet them.
ReplyDeleteSkype has replaced stopping off at the petrol station. But I do miss my own mother; I'd love to have bought her some flowers today. ALAS....
ReplyDeleteAt least Skype is slightly more personal
DeleteI raise a glass to every parent out there that has done their best to raise their children as honest, responsible people with integrity in this society. Some mothers have given up jobs, education, holidays and much more for the sake of raising a child and they should be applauded. I hope these mothers enjoy their day, and are pampered to no end.
ReplyDeleteHere here
DeleteThank you for the kind thought John. We don't 'do' mothers day here, apart from when the kids were little....I have no need of flowers or cards today..I am above blessed because I see my kids often and we all still love to spend time together....I took my mother flowers yesterday and spent the day with her and pa, making lunch and generally visiting...it was a good day and I am very lucky...but constantly scared too..wondering what the future holds. Your mom did a good job with you John....good men matter in this world.
ReplyDeleteLibby....she DID pass down a good sense of humour to be....which I am grateful for
DeleteYes...Happy Mothers day to all the mothers out there. My 82 year old Mum is still very much alive and kicking. I bought her an e-reader (a Kobo Mini) for Mothers day, and have just spent an hour showing her how to use it. She's a techno-whizz, and is off ordering e-books, and looking forward to getting into bed tonight with her Kobo lol.
ReplyDeleteYou are a good kid Lorraine x
DeleteShe's a good Mum, John.
DeleteI live next to a large cemetery. I find it downright amusing to see all the dead folks gaily celebrating Christmas and other holidays. Some graves will even have Christmas trees and wreaths. The ones that really get to me are the ones that have solar lights that gather daylight and then glow well into the night. That can be really eerie when you drive past and see rows of little lights!
ReplyDeleteI live next to a cemetery (nice quiet neighbours) and when those solar lights first started appearing I got quite a turn.
Deletewe celebrate Mothering Sunday & remember it's origin - girls in service in big houses allowed half a day off to go a mothering - visit their mothers with a posy of flowers & attend their mother Church for a service.
ReplyDeleteIt's all become a bit commercial now - not being religious we celebrate simply but it's nice to think of those girls visiting their mothers & going to their own Churches.
Okay, I see someone used 'throw momma from the train'. I shall use Goonies. 2 more months for OUR mother's day. Happy to all on the other side of the pond.
ReplyDeleteEach year I say to my boys 'don't bother about Mother's Day, it's just a piece of crass commercialism' but every year I get my chocs and flowers and cheesy cards and I relish them! I'm chomping my way through a box of Neuhaus chocs as we speak. I know I'll regret it in the morning. My friend who just died used to be ignored on Mother's Day by her selfish prat of a son and it made her very sad indeed. Bet he's kicking himself today. Have a good week you little orphan, you.I'll be your Ma if you like!!lol
ReplyDeleteYou are my new adoptive mummy then nana x
DeleteOk, remember to brush your teeth before you go to bed!Nite Nite John-Boy!
DeleteThank you John. My favorite gifts are the handmade cards with messy handwritten poems; they are so touchingly sweet it brings tears to my eyes looking forward to them.....thanks for the reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome dear heart x
DeleteMy mum has terminal cancer and I try to take her flowers every week..not just for mothers day (which is in May hrre in the US)...every day is Mothers day!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Lynda... A tough time for sure
DeleteLove the photo. Yes, it's been a good day here too.
ReplyDeleteI was just telling my kids they better not screw up Mother's Day this year and my oldest asked when it was. Little did I know it was today!
ReplyDeleteAs you know our Mother's Day is in May, and it's a bittersweet day for me...
ReplyDeleteOn the flipside, your photo of the Mother from the movie 'Throw Momma From the Train' gave me a grin--I have to admit to liking that movie--did you?
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ReplyDeleteWe Archers do visit graves. I like to scatter seeds around the father in law (he was a super gardener) poppy, nigella.... anything pretty and invasive. He'd have loved to see it.
ReplyDeleteMy mothers day wasn't great - family gardening plans were scuppered by snow! Re-run next week!
To me every day the Angel wakes up and later returns from his ventures in one piece is mother's day. 365 times a year.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, when he slung his long arms round me, wishing me "Happy Mother's Day", I reminded him that without HIM I'd not be a mother. A mutually pleasing arrangement then.
U
Oh, my god, John, just to clarify since misunderstandings seem to be rife: By 'HIM' I didn't mean him, as in God, I meant HIM, as in my son.
DeleteHoly ghost and all, can't one utter one word these days without being nailed to the cross?
U
What a corker she was! It is easy to see where you got your stunning good looks from! Did she always look that happy?
ReplyDeleteI was orphaned at 25, and the first time went to visit my mother's grave was before they had placed the stone on it. My aunt took me, and after blubbering over the unmarked grave, Auntie tapped me gently on the shoulder and said, "Oh, sorry, Megan, we're in the wrong row, she's over here."
ReplyDeleteAnd i laughed. The cry did me good as did the laughter.
We celebrate Mother's Day in May. It's sometimes very difficult for me, as i do still miss my mother, but visiting older women who are lonesome helps.
I'm not much for visiting cemeteries, either. Visiting a grave only reminds me of the sadness of the funerals, and I'd much rather remember the people when they were living.
ReplyDelete