Mother’s Day in the US and Abroad

I celebrated Mother’s Day three times last year.

The first time was in England, when we happened to be there on Mothering Sunday.

(It actually was my second time in England on Mothering Sunday; the first time my boys were three and one; in 2015 the accompanying child was 28!)

Two weeks later we were in Slovenia with relatives on Parent’s Day.

In my home country, the United States, I was surrounded by children and family on our May Mother’s Day.

Lots of fun.

I celebrate a conventional Mother’s Day now that my nest is empty and my children’s requests not so demanding.

What does a mom really want on Mother’s Day?

Years ago, my husband gave me what I really wanted on Mother’s day: time to myself.

We’d attend church on those Sundays. He’d stop to buy me a New York Times and after lunch would take the children out for the afternoon.

That meant I could sit in peace and read the paper and work the crossword puzzle.

Glorious.

It puzzled my father-in-law, who was up one year visiting. “You don’t want to spend Mother’s Day with your children?”

Of course I did.

But I also wanted just a little bit of time to myself.

They returned. We ate spaghetti.

Life was normal.

These days I have plenty of opportunity to read the paper and work the puzzle without interruption–though I often scan and print it to share with the son living at home.

Or, once I’ve had a crack at it, whomever is visiting can write in their own answers.

Mothering Sundays in England were also splendid.

It’s the fourth Sunday of Lent and traditionally was the day when children who worked as domestic servants were given a day off to visit their families–specifically their mothers!

On my first Mothering Sunday we admired daffodils peeking from the ground and I ate my first Cadbury chocolate cream egg.

Memorable, for sure!

We were staying at a farmhouse bed and breakfast in Devonshire and the woman of the house served a classic English breakfast.

Delightful!

Last year, we attended early services at Westminster Abbey, savoring the soaring voices of the boys’ choir in that ancient place of worship.

This part of vacation was an indulgence for me anyway–so following services we walked to the Imperial War Museum so I could, finally, experience their new WWI exhibit.

(Hey, they know me well).

We traveled from there to St. Martin’s in the Field, where we heard another concert.

I nodded to the Edith Clavell memorial and we crossed the street to visit the National Portrait Gallery before catching up with our godson for dinner.

A wonderful day of great music, glorious art and fun conversation with two terrific young men.

In Slovenia on Parent’s Day, we took a tour of a cave, admired daffodils and, since I was sharing this celebration, ate a delicious meal of Slovenian sausage.

I listened to stories of parenting children behind the former Iron Curtain.

Suggestions for children and fathers for this year?

Flowers are always welcome.

Time to herself is good.

Candy can be tasty.

Cards are perfect, so are phone calls.

Telling stories is the best.

But whether in the United States, England, Slovenia or anywhere else in the world, just acknowledging Mom is sufficient.

I’ll be home for Mother’s Day this year. Maybe I’ll send a card to the two terrific women who gave birth to my perfect daughter-in-laws.

Perhaps I’ll give those two hard-working, lovely mothers another gift card to the car wash for a thoroughly cleaning of their busy minivans.

Maybe the guys will grill and clean up?

My own daughter will be here.

I’ll see them all.

It will be wonderful no matter what happens because that’s what being a mother is all about.

What was your most memorable Mother’s Day/Mothering Sunday?

What’s the best Mother’s Day surprise you’ve ever given or received?

For all you moms and children out there in the United States, happy Mother’s Day.

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Sometimes a vacation from the kids is a great Mother’s Day idea. Click to Tweet