Mother’s Day Extraordinaire

My girls and me

Two daughters, one son-in-law, and three grandsons—I reveled in family this Mother’s Day. Megan arrived last night with her two boys in time for hamburgers and the overnight salad I had stashed in the fridge. We talked, drank wine, and stayed up later than I meant too. I loved it. This morning, lazy. Christian fixed  big breakfast, and it was 11:30 before we got up from the table.

A hurried trip to the nursery, but we pretty much knew what we wanted—hydrangeas to put under my office window. They’re gorgeous, though not my favorite plans. I catered to my urge for wildflowers by buying one pot of coreopsis—no place in the back yard gets enough sun for that delightful, cheery plant except the deck. But from my desk, where I spend so much of my time, I have a clear vision of the deck. The coreopsis will join Christian’s marvelous bougainvillea, which show signs of being as bountiful this year as it was last. I bought some herbs, especially lemon oregano to discourage mosquitoes. On my shopping list this week: a big jug of cheap blue mouthwash, Epsom salts, and cheap beer to make what is supposed to be a guaranteed effective non-toxic spray to protect an area from mosquitoes.

Two o’clock found us at Joe T.’s for a late lunch/early supper. We didn’t sit on the patio because of the heat, but inside is always so noisy I have trouble with ordinary conversation. Christian’s family joined us so we were a party of fourteen, and our server turned out to be a sorority sister of Megan’s so it was old home week. As always we ate too much, and tonight, past eight o’clock, none of us are interested in food.

My grandsons, wishing me Happy Mothers Day

Megan and the boys left almost as soon as we got home from Joe T.’s and they are now safely back in Austin. We’re back into our routine, but I’ll treasure the memories of an almost-perfect day for a long time.

With a fond memory of my mother, who taught me to laugh, look on the bright side, and love creating in the kitchen. Some thirty years later, I still wish I had her on speed dial. I know her grandchildren miss her and I would so love to have her know her great-grandchildren.

Hope all the mothers, all who nurture and care for any of God’s creatures, had a wonderful day. Bask in the love, folks. We need each other these days.