I was going to write about famous, fashionable mothers, or mothers who were also fashion designers, or a number of other fashion-mother focused scenarios. But I hope you won’t mind that I am going to do something different and share something unusually personal with you.
Covid-19 has disrupted the world, and now, it’s trying to steal Mother’s Day. It's an important day in our family - 3 of us are mothers now. Our family won’t be able to gather together and critique the 5 different cakes people usually bring, or go to a spa, or spend the day wine tasting in the Willamette Valley, or play tennis or a game of Code-Names around our kitchen table. I won’t be able to hold my perfect little grandsons or hug my sons in law. We will, at best, be in my yard, 10 feet apart, trying to hear each other over a neighbor’s annoying leaf blower or barking dog. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, it will have to be a Zoom day celebration.
But, on this Mother’s Day, more than ever, instead of mourning what we could have done, or pining over what I wish we could do, I feel a profound need to express my gratitude.
I am incredibly grateful to be a mother and that’s something the Coronavirus can’t take from me. I have four uniquely spectacular daughters. They are my biggest allies, my harshest critics, my guiding force, and everyday reminders of what matters most in life.
Erika is my Truth Compass.
She clears the static and reveals the truth.
Even when I don’t really want to acknowledge it.
She senses my moods even before I do.
She won’t let me pretend to be okay.
Katie is my business partner, but most importantly, my Heart Monitor.
She sees right through to the true intent of my heart.
Even if my actions and words say something else.
Emma is my my balance scale.
She sees equal value and good in all people, including me.
She constantly reminds me to do the same.
I don’t know how I was able to get by all of those years before they were born, but my life works so much better now that they are here.
The coronavirus doesn’t care about Mother’s Day. Or mothers for that matter. It just does what it does regardless. But, we are luckily, not viruses, but human beings. Evolved species have developed a capacity to care. It’s one of the things that makes us human.
Being a mother has reminded me every day that I am not alone in this world and that what I do affects others. I am hoping that rather than revealing our selfish nature, Covid-19 will reveal our humanity this mother’s day, as we show respect and honor the people we love by keeping them safe. Wearing a mask, honoring social distancing, and respecting personal space tells the world that we don't have any intention of letting a virus rob us of the people we love.