"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens"... I wonder if the Etsy phenomenon didn't actually begin with Julie Andrews all those years ago. The recognition that simple, beautiful things lend strength to life's trickier moments holds such an intimate truth that the song can still be recognized merely by humming a line all these years later. As I sat down to write this piece for Mother's Day, my sub-conscious pulled this tune out of the depths and with it drowned out all other words I had considered setting down in type.
This is one of those tricky times. If you are lucky. Those of us who are lucky are working around the clock to balance work with children and spouses in our spaces. We are struggling with feelings of inadequacy as overwhelming demands are relentlessly heaped upon our heads. Yet still... We are the lucky ones. We recognize the good fortune allotted us by being able to work from home. My heart goes out to everyone on the front lines of "essential services." Grocery workers, health care workers, mail carriers, construction crews, farmers.... How long is the list of people who's daily work is integral to the stability of society?! We pray for your health and safety. And equally so, my heart goes out to those of you who can not work right now; hair stylists, hotel owners, and small business men and women of all kinds. I pray this passes quickly and your emotional burden is lifted. I pray the economy stabilizes and you find swarms of neighbors quickly upon your doorstep. Those of us overwhelmed right now are also anxiously aware of our own good fortune.
Such a dismal tone for a Mother's Day post. Yet, “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Right, Mr. Potter? This Mother's Day provides us a blessed opportunity to shine the light we have to offer on the other women in our lives. What is usually a day reserved for celebrating the fabulous woman who raised me, will this year become a glass raised to Motherhood everywhere. Mamas, I adore you. Thank you for every smile and every tear shed in the effort that is parenthood. I uplift you this Mother's Day. Your gift of motherhood is a light to your family. And your family is a light to others. I uplift you!! And I challenge you to uplift each other. We can glow with such kindness that our warmth soaks deeper than any overwhelm or anxiety our loved ones may be battling. Let this be the Mother's Day you consider spoiling all the women important to you. A handwritten note, a message on the phone, some token of thought... Here are a handful of my favorite things... I hope they remind you of someone special. Let this be the year we shower each other with love!!
I hope my journey inspires your own,
Buckets and Berries
