Cherishing Mother’s Day Memories Through the Years

Celebrating Mother’s Day has evolved tremendously over the years—funny how time has a way of doing that.

As kids, the hand-drawn pictures, poems, and trinkets from three daughters filled boxes of memories that could last a lifetime for our mom. The person in question—Connie, our one and only MOM—called the other day, and I figured I’d ask her about some of her most memorable Mother’s Day moments.

While she didn’t mention the Fruit Loop necklace Natalie ate before delivery (yes, mom still wore that sticky string with pride for the day), she did quickly recall one of her favorites. She vividly described a piece of construction paper where Natalie had placed her small handprints in paint and a photo had been attached. We found that paper some 40 years later while cleaning out Mom’s apartment. A treasure—one we didn’t know the value of at the time. Natalie, I’m glad you kept it. Now you know how priceless it really is.

Mom also remembered the year she gave her own mother a Gone with the Wind stamp—a prize so cherished it sat framed in plastic on the mantle until the day her mother passed.

I decided to ask Emilie—mom to the three grandchildren in the family—about her memories. The first one that came to mind was the year the kids made her breakfast in bed. She recalls eggs, toast, and something with syrup. Knowing her house during those years, it was definitely Eggo’s.

As for me—I didn’t give birth to any children, but I proudly claim my stepsons as my own. Every year, I get a funny Mother’s Day text that usually reads something like:

“Happy Mother’s Day to the best stepmom ever! Thanks for marrying Dad.”

And honestly, there is no better recognition to receive. Special is also getting to send a message to their mom—thanking her for raising the amazing men they’ve become, and for letting me play a part in their lives.  It’s interesting how “family” takes many forms yet when it works, you should not question it.

And this year—well, as I said, time has a way of changing the things we can't control. For Mother’s Day, we’ll plan in the moment, based on how Mom feels. It might be a simple ride to Sonic for ice cream, or a full adventure to Cracker Barrel and Dollar Tree for some hard-won senior living decorations.

Either way, I’m happy. Happy mom is here with us. Happy to make silly memories of melting soft serve and $1.25 tiaras.  This year I’ll make sure to get photos of that.