Mothers Day

Today is Mothers Day in Australia. On this weekend, random cars pull over to make-shift flower stalls on the side of the road to buy chrysanthemums for mothers and grand-mothers on their way to lunch or dinner.
I don't tend to recieve a 'proper' gift from Carissa unless I organise a shopping date and let her drift around to buy something. I have in the past given her money and a friend of mine has taken her to the shopping centre but over the last couple of years, my gifts are aplenty and I feel Mothers Day gifts are unnecessary.
Of course, like most families, we don't wait for this day in May to celebrate each other and the love we have for each other. My daughter and I are very close and love each other dearly.
I also ring my mother and we speak for awhile. Normally she has something that pulls her away from the phone so the chats are always brief.
This morning Carissa and I went to East Terrace Continental for Breakfast. It was delicious as usual. We can't go past banana pancakes or a ETC traditional breakfast. They also sell the perfect cappucino and milk-shake for bub.
Later, we went for a walk through the Adelaide Markets which always deliver an array of colourful stalls and delightful food samples. This morning we saw baby alpaca's, bought a funky designed t-shirt for bub, a set of three woven baskets for me, a ridiculously obscene cupcake for bub with broken Mars Bars on top of butter cream and held hands all day laughing at the buskers, the baton twirlers and the colourful fairies parading up and down the Rundle St Markets.
Later in the afternoon, she begrudgingly went with her dad to see his mother. I wish my mother were local because she would be included in our shopping and lunches and we'd be able to give her some lovely gifts. Maybe one day.
Presently I'm baking a roast lamb smothered in rosemary and garlic, our favourite, ready for her return. We're planning to sit in front of the big-screen telly with a comedy movie I've rented for a laugh.
For me these precious days holding hands, wiping choc from her chin and giggling at freaky-lookin people, with a mish-mosh hand-made card to CookieLips (that's me) is worth more than any gold jewellery, slippers or coffee cup.
What does mothers day mean to you?
Is it a day to cringe and distract yourself to escape unresolved pain of the past?
Are your historical memories a permanent fixture or can they be changed to something more different?
Is it a day to spoil your mother or mother-figure with a card and gift?
Perhaps you buy her a carvery meal at her favourite pub or perhaps you just visit and sit with her for a few moments longer.
Mothers come in all shapes and forms.
For some, aunty is the mother. Nanna is the mother. Even some great dads wear both titles.
Each to their own. We're all diverse and lovely. I especially send my love to the old people forgotten in aged homes and safe foster parents out there sharing love with someone else's borne child. The adoptive parents, the ivf mums - all of you deserve a medal!
For those of you still trying to be a mother, keep trying. It really is the most magical journey you'll embark on.
For those of you who are already lucky enough to be a mother, I hope you had a lovely day.
xx
Cath







