I’m thinking of you this week in the approach to Mother’s Day, a difficult day for so many who have lost loved ones.
Please take a moment to watch this short video from Maureen…
The Lead Up to Mother’s Day
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you Maureen for always reaching out. For me the lead up to any holiday is the absolute worse. that is when my grieving shows up most in a most profound way.
I cannot stand to even walk past Mother's day cards. I do write and have conversations with my mom. But i feel such a deep longing to talk to her again and to share those last months and weeks again. It was such a miracle to be able to say to each other what we wanted to say and to share the love of mother and daughter. Our weather is not yet nice enough to get her special flowers to the cemetery. that is all I can think about right now. I wake up in the morning with traces of salt on my face from my tears each nite. thank you for caring. GML
What a lovely lady you are….bravely giving us all hope and advice for Mother's Day when it must be just as hard for you.
Thank you and sending you back love and hugs xxx
Thank you so much for giving me strength to get thru Mothers day. it will be four years in august when I lost my Son Chad. I wish i would of found something like this back then. You are a wonderful woman to help everyone like you do. It still hurts like it was yesterday but reading what you write to help has giving me such strength. May God continue to bless you and sending Hugs and love
Dear Maureen, Thank you for your thoughts and compassion through each and every article you sent. It'll be a second Mother's Day without my precious son, Nabil. As you mentioned, the days approaching towards it have been very hard and at times have been overwhelming for me. I just have to take one day at a time and sometimes one hour at a time. Last Mother's Day his two sisters showered me with flowers and chocolates and it was really tough to be totally there emotionally for them. I hope and pray I'll be able to be more there for them on that day this year.
Sending you love and hugs.
Thank You Maureen. It always brighten my day when I hear from you. You are such a caring person. Thank you for the tips on how to get through the day. It is going to extra hard this year as it will be my second year without my son Dustin, and my boyfriend and I just separated on April 7. Sending you love and hugs as it must be hard for you also.
Janice
Hello Maureen, I lost my mother on April 23, 2011 so this will be the second Mother's Day without her. She was the most precious mom to me and to my husband. I am an only child. I appreciate your words and do hear her voice and her advice to me all of the time.
Thanks sooo much. You help me take a step forward every day in my grief. I so look forward to your messages of hope and comfort. Super hugs back to you in your own grief journey.
Maureen,
Thanks for the encouragement and advice on things that may help. My Mother was all about family and this will be our first year without her, so I am taking everyone to a baseball game this year. My Daughter is going to be a new mom this year and I know mom is watching over her. HUGS and Kisses, I know the day will be hard but I'm praying for a peaceful journey for all of us on Sunday. Please know your Son is smiling down on you for all you do to make this easier for every one… Happy Mother's Day to everyone
This is my first Mother's day without my mom. It was also her birthday on Saturday. For her birthday I bought her a shiny balloon and some flowers. I also got a little stuffed bunny. I put it all on a small table where I keep her picture and a candle. I started doing this because I felt like I was betraying my mom's memory when I wasn't remembering her but the only way I was able to remember her was through grieving her loss. My Hospice counsellor suggested I do something that brings me pleasure so I have a "shrine" and remember her that way. On Mother's day I will still buy her a card and put it on the table. Each season and holiday I can put things on the table that will help me celebrate the holidays with her. I won't ever say "she was my mom" instead I will she "she is my mom". I am proud and happy to be able to do this because for 5 months after she died I just sat on the couch and stared out the window. It makes me glad that I can honour in a way besides grieving. That said, I miss my mom so much it feels like that I will never feel truly happy again. I do however know that I can feel joy again.
Maureen, thank you so much for your e mails. I am so grateful for you.
A lovely way to remember your mother Barbara. I planted a white rose bush in my garden for my mom. There are days I still cry so hard and so long..then I am worn out.
It is 18 months since she died sometimes it feels like yesterday. I am unable to even look at Mothers day card yet. Maybe someday.
Thanks Maureen for bringing us together and helping all through the grieving.
I am thinking of you all as the approach of Mothers Day comes, may it bring with it invisible love and kisses for your heart and soul ~ Maureen
Thank you Maureen. there is no right or wrong in how we all choose to approach hollidays and our grief. thank you for your support and sharing.
Absolutely not, its always for you to decide what works best for you. Thank you for your comments on this post and others, would you share your name with me? ~ Maureen
I've lost a dear friend almost two years ago..she took her own life. then my mother …and two months ago a lifelong friend…it is almost too much to take.
I was fortunate enough to have a six week hospice support group for adults only who have lost a parent. It was a lifeline for me.
It is very hard to deal with family and friends who do not know how to address the elephant in the room. My dad has been gone for 32 years..so I am now the one left..and I know my kids will jot realize how deep my grief is until they deal with it themselves some day.
I will celebrate the 25 years I had with my son, Christopher!
Thanks so much, Maureen. I am so glad that I found your site and continue to get your words of encouragement. It is weird, but sometimes I feel as if this never really happened to me. I know I had another son, but feel that he is just away on vacation……..then I realize it's true. The mind works in mysterious ways to protect us, doesn't it? Looking forward to your next message! ox Elizabeth
Thank you for the wonderful message Maureen. I lost my Mum 21st January 2012. I have my days when I miss her more than I can stand and then there are others that I can talk about her and smile.
I must admit that I can not look at the Mothers day cards , I feel such a huge loss. So thank you for your messages. They do help.
Amanda ~
This will be my first mothers day with out her , I think of others, how they got through their first " MOTHERS DAY" had been and how all of the people who will be for the first time with out their MOM, GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU, my heart goes out to all of you, HUGS TO ALL OF YOU, HOPE YOUR DAY GOES FAST, AND YOU GET THROUGH IT WITH OUT ANY TURMOIL,
Each first for me and even second always seems to be more my anticipating grief..lots of tears knowing whatever day may be coming up. Then I seem to get through the day better than I thought i would. though I am always so relieved the day is over.
I is the other times when i least expect it..a smell..a picture..something that just grabs my heart and I just am in a heap of tears. when it hits me I just allow it to happen and let go and grieve till i can't anymore. We all need to do what ever it is that gets us through. Maureen your messages are a comfort.