Happy Mommy Day

My Mother's Day started at 12:00 am, on the dot, with Ella calling "Mama! Mama! Mama!".  I kid you not--it was exactly 12:00 am.  I think she had a nightmare or something, but it was a nice little reminder that she needs me just as much on Mother's Day as any other day of her life.  It took almost an hour to get her back to sleep, but she woke up bright-eyed as ever.  My husband taught her how to say "Happy Mommy Day" while I was in the shower.  I don't know if I've ever heard a sweeter greeting.

In church, our pastor shared in his opening prayer that Mother's Day is not always easy for everyone.  I appreciate that he had this sort of sensitivity.  Although I sat there with Ella wrapped in my arms, there have been Mother's Days that have left me feeling empty and alone.  I don't know which years were worse--those when I was struggling to conceive and didn't yet consider myself a "mother"; or those after my losses when the rest of the world didn't recognize me as one but I did.  Yesterday was happy for me, but I know that it wasn't for everyone, and my heart and prayers go out to those who wait to hear "Happy Mommy Day" from their little one.

My blessing this weekend was the chance to work with my husband to put the finishing touches on our backyard by planting some grasses and flowers and moving some big boulders into place (without getting bit by the rattlesnake that was less than a foot away from my gloved hand).  I'm so pleased with how it all turned out.