Dear nécessité,
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY. Again, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! I repeat, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY. How are you? I so love Mother’s Day. Why?
When I was a bit younger (I’m still young, so a bit younger), I loved doing things for my mother (I still do), especially on Mother’s Day.
It was my moment to say thank you, mom. To shower her constantly. To let her know she mattered. She was valued. She was thought of. She was loved. She was appreciated. She provided and sacrificed so much of herself to my sisters and me, and as a single parent, I felt those moments of wanting to do for her, to help make her feel good, and to help where possible to make her load a bit lighter.
This was a special moment for my sisters and me to be creative with gifts and ideas because although we were constrained on money, that never prohibited us from showering our mom with what she deserved. We would typically make our mother breakfast in bed (French toast, inspiration see my recipe in Shut Up and Cook!), write letters from the heart, make her cards, and go to a museum or for a simple drive. (Of course, she would have to drive because we were too young) our car was a white Datsun B210, aka ‘The Egg.’
This was our only car, and we had it for years and years and years to the point on the cold days in Denver, our feet would freeze because, on the passenger side, there was a hole where you could see the ground. No joke, think Bedrock style- the Flintstones. But we had a car, it ran, and it got us further than point A to point B. (From LA to Denver and more). My mother was cute driving The Egg too. Super cute.
Wearing Norma Kamali something up top and usually Robert Clergerie on the bottom. But, knowing what we did not have, did not supersede what we did have. A MOM! our beautiful and special Mom…Each other! A loving, close family.
So this Mother’s Day, I’ll continue to count my blessings for having my mom and being blessed to be a mom. Although I’ll be celebrating this weekend with one of my children (first time without both of my children, hmm, but I am ok and I’ll survive) and my girlfriend and her children in her new home creating more fun moments together, I’ll be thinking of not only my mom but the moms that made it possible for the moms like you and me!!!
This is the role of life that is truly 24/7, and it requires no certification, no degree, no hours of training, or any experience, so embrace that you do it to the best of your ability. I love being a MOM. I love it all. Everything about it. I love and appreciate the challenges because I learn from them, and I hope to grow from them.
I have always aimed to be fully present because I know I cannot press rewind on any moment or given day.
I use this moment to say to my Nana, who was the rock of moms, to Biological Moms, Heart Moms, Auntie Moms, Teacher Moms, Pet Moms, Extra Marriage Moms, Nanny Moms, Surrogate Moms…Just All moms, because we all mother in our unique way to someone– treat yourself with honor and applause, and make that applause loud and steady.
Do not underestimate the power of being a MOM. It is a role we transfer into and learn as we grow and go, and we decide what kind of Mom we are to those we are Mom to… But, we all come from one…. regardless of how! So, celebrate.
Happy Mother’s Day, beauty. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day, Nana. (I thank you; I love and miss you deeply)
Much love and gratitude, Erica Reid
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Certified in Gut Health
Certified in Plant-Based Nutrition Certification T.Colin Campbell for Nutrition Studies
Author of The Thriving Child, Shut Up and Cook!
Erica Reid, Founder of nécessité
