Although I don't care much for (or about) these recognition style holidays, it gave me an excuse to dredge up some OLD photos. Here I am 9 months pregnant with older Daughter in 1986. Wasn't that just a few years back? How can she be nearly 36?
After giving birth, I was perhaps not in the best mood. Plus, I was exhausted after 19 1/2 hours of labor and an unfun vacuum delivery. I will avoid going into details. ;)
So, having a selective memory, I decided to do the whole baby thing again 3 years and 8 months later. It was a tough pregnancy and even harder birth, involving several implements in places they had no business being. Enough said. This photo is from mid-December and Younger Daughter was born at the beginning of February; I sure don't look as miserable as I felt. Painful varicose veins and a chronically plugged nose made teaching, eating and chasing after a toddler extremely difficult.
Older Daughter adored her younger sister until she kept crying at which time she told me, "Mommy, you need to take that baby back to the hospital. And leave her there!" Frankly, I hadn't been sure that I wanted children at all, having dealt with the traumatic deaths of two younger brothers and the effects on my parents and family, yet I learned to passionately love motherhood. I had to work hard at not being overprotective; my daughters have told me that I failed at that. :) Parenting was stressful and scary at times. And always challenging. Yet it's also been the most enriching and beautiful growth experience of my life.
I'm very close to my own mother although I didn't model myself after her parenting style. I'm much more of a disciplinarian, very open and somewhat demanding strict. I was also caring and supportive (still am) but I definitely have boundaries that my mom never did. Growing up, I remember her giving too much of her time and energy and then resenting it and getting crabby. She could never say no...whereas I definitely can.
Here we are at a family wedding; Mom is pregnant with one of my late brothers. He killed himself at the age of 24 and I'm still angry with him for it, just a little.
My only surviving brother is way taller and much younger than I am. He's a great guy although we'll never agree on politics or religion. Consequently, we avoid discussing those things. It would end badly and neither one of us would change our minds.
As they've aged, my daughters have become more than my children and have shared the gifts of their friendship and support. They've also sometimes given me gray hairs. There's no such thing as a road without potholes.
And who could forget one of the best presents of 2020, perhaps the only one? I'm so thankful for My Little Guy who made me a grandmother for the first time; it sounds corny but he's truly lit up my world. I'll be seeing him in 10 days and I can't wait for his sweet hugs!
Partly because of my trip, I bought a new purse, since my other one was disintegrating. I wanted one that was similar in size-HAHA. My late husband would have rolled his eyes and asked me what in the h*ll I had used to measure the old purse. ;) This one was supposed to be the SMALL version, according to the website! The good part is that I can put more stuff in it. The bad part is that I'll fill it full of junk until it weighs as much as my grandson. Sigh. Finally, I wish my dear blog friends a happy weekend no matter how you do or don't celebrate. Eternally and maternally yours, Margaret, Mom and Mémé
Wonderful photos Margaret, Happy Mother's Day! I enjoyed your interesting, honest perspective both on your own motherhood experiences and your mom's. You've written about your two brothers before, I'm still hoping you share more about them someday. Hope you have a great day, M. 🙂❤️👍
Posted by: Doug M | May 08, 2022 at 04:28 AM
Nice peace from a mother and also about generations. Enjoy your day.
Posted by: AC | May 08, 2022 at 06:02 AM
Good morning and happy mom's day! This was a lovely post to share today.
Posted by: Deb | May 08, 2022 at 06:12 AM
Happy Mother's day. Hope you have a fun and warm day. Enjoyed learning more about you and your family. Cute picture with your Mom. Enjoy your visit with adorable LG. Grands are the best of all worlds. You don't have to raise them, just enjoy them.
Posted by: Arkansas Patti | May 08, 2022 at 07:47 AM
Wishing you all the best for a very happy Mother's Day. I'd say we earn our Mother's Day badge every day. That said, the pure joy and shared love of being a mother is wonderful. Your family photos are excellent. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Susan | May 08, 2022 at 07:59 AM
Laughing about the purse. My purse is so small it fits my phone with a zip pocket for cards and what cash I carry (I do need it at the farmers market). A family member was recently going on and on about how women always set their purses down anywhere, so they were surely picking up germs (this was a covid conversation of course). I couldn't them to stop long enough to say that *all* women don't carry big purses. Not to mention that I think "we've" figured out that covid doesn't transmit via surfaces. Actually I don't really even carry my little purse. I wear a vest with zip pockets. My phone goes in one, my key fob and a debit card in the other.
Posted by: kayak woman | May 08, 2022 at 10:30 AM
What a wonderful post. I loved reading about your daughters, grandson, and mom. <3 Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Jenni Elyse | May 08, 2022 at 12:45 PM
Happy Mother's Day! I love this post so much. It took you a lot of courage to open your heart to motherhood after experiencing the tragic deaths of your brothers and that should be acknowledged.
Your mom sounds wonderful and I hope she had a great day as well. You have been richly blessed with your daughters and grandson!
Posted by: Karen | May 08, 2022 at 02:53 PM
You still look the same:)
We took Katie out for lunch and I talked to my middle daughter on the phone. It was nice.
The photos are lovely.
Posted by: Pixie | May 08, 2022 at 02:59 PM
I attributed my difficult second pregnancy to O- blood, in the days before there was an antibody for it. I had a late brunch with her today. She just graduated with a master's degree and is a nurse practitioner who must pass an RN and NP exam to bring her licenses current. I smiled, thinking of her taking the nursing license test ten or more years ago. She was so worried. She had to get 99 questions right on the computerized test. When 99 were right, the exam turned off. Her computer shut down after she answered question 100. She's probably worried about the next two exams. I'm not.
Posted by: Joanne Noragon | May 08, 2022 at 03:18 PM
Your post about older daughter wanting to return her sister elicited a real LOL. So funny and cute.
I knew you lost a brother, but I didn't know two. How incredibly difficult and no wonder you questioned motherhood. However, I think the world is much better for your having brought two wonderful girls into it. I wish the world were full of more mothers like you. Happy Mother's Day! xoxo
Posted by: StoicWannabe | May 08, 2022 at 03:53 PM
That's a sweet post with a good laugh, courtesy of a nearly four year old daughter.
Posted by: Catalyst | May 08, 2022 at 06:51 PM
Great pics from the past. Did you even check with the hospital about the warranty and return timing for children? What a cute and practical suggestion from a big sister.
I didn't know grandsons could be ordered through Amazon boxes; must tell my son and his wife who are wanting a kid. Happy Mom's Day. I worked, but my son learned a long time ago that I had the power to change holidays to a day more convenient and will see him Tuesday when we're both off. Linda in Kansas
Posted by: Drum Major Linda in Kansas | May 08, 2022 at 10:37 PM
Once again I've been distracted and I'm behind reading your posts. (Sigh) Glad you had a nice Mother's Day.
You sure look like your mom in that picture of her holding you! Wow!
Love the Little Guy in the box! Special delivery!
Posted by: Tonya Watkins | May 13, 2022 at 04:49 PM