What Will You Remember About This Past Mother’s Day?

3/49 A Moment for My 15th Mother’s Day as a Mom

This reflection is a part of my yearlong project, Present at 49: An Invitation to Notice.

My 15th Mother’s Day as a mom passed this weekend.

There were cards, flowers, and food.

There were laughs, hugs, and kisses.

There were times of frustration, and some yelling too.

Such is life as a mom. The roller coaster ride continues, and the dips are here so I can experience and remember the contrast of the highs more deeply.

And you know what? Even if I wasn’t a mom, this would be true. If life is always the same, how can we have an experience of something else?

The contrast provides context.

Opposing experiences, observations, feelings, and more help us gain perspective, gather insight, understand and assign meaning, and determine preferences.

So for this most recent Mother’s Day, I’ll remember that I spent time with my loved ones and my friends, I got to try new restaurants for brunch and dinner, I bought my own flowers because I wanted to, I took an afternoon nap, and I got caught in a rainstorm after a midday movie (the subsequent hot shower was the best thing ever).

Did I also lose it on my husband and the kids at one point? Yes, I did. Hence the frustration and yelling.

But am I going to focus on it?

No, I’ve learned to let these things go; to forgive myself and others, to apologize where necessary, to talk it out and figure out a better path forward in the future. (For me, and this particular instance, it means clearer communication on my part, and to include more white space in my day.)

We’re all human, life isn’t perfect, and I can choose to remember all the things that made me warm and fuzzy, instead of the one thing that kind of sucked.

What will you remember from this past weekend?

A Reflection for You

If contrast helps us appreciate life more deeply, what recent “dip” has helped you better recognize a “high”?

If you feel called to share your reflection, have a question or want to provide feedback on Next Gen Connection, I’d love to hear from you!Message Sonia | Next Gen Connection

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