Mother’s Day Reflections
Me and my beautiful grandbabies - Mother’s Day 2024
I hope you’re all still basking in the afterglow of Mother’s Day, feeling cherished and celebrated by those you love. Whether you were surrounded by family and showered with gifts or spent the day relaxing and enjoying some much needed peace and quiet, you deserve it all! 😃
I had a wonderful day! We went to church (we had an awesome service with a great message from Jonathan Evans), spent time with my kids and grandkids and had a delicious meal that I didn’t have to cook. It’s great having adult children…you can go to their home, eat their food and be pampered for awhile (and no clean up!) 🤗
As wonderful as it was, Mother’s Day has become a reflective time for me, as this was my fourth Mother’s Day without my sweet mom. It’s a loss that, in many ways, I’m still trying to manage.
Me and Mama - Thanksgiving 2019
Navigating grief, especially on holidays, has its tough moments. It’s different for everyone…what works for a friend or co-worker may not necessarily work for you. Grief doesn’t follow a linear path. It ebbs and flows, often catching us off guard. A song or a familiar scent can bring on a wave of emotions, knocking the wind right out of you. In the thick of these emotions, I’ve strived to wear a brave face…not just for me, but for my family and for you, my community.
But putting on a brave face doesn’t mean hiding our struggles; it means acknowledging them and choosing to find the strength and resilience within us to move forward, no matter the pace. It’s about showing up for ourselves and our loved ones, even when it feels hard. And let me tell you, as wife, mom and Nana, this journey has made me cherish the moments of joy and connection even more.
As a business owner, this journey has also taught me the importance of authenticity and compassion. It's okay to not always have everything together. It's okay to feel and share our true emotions. It's these human experiences that connect us, that help us understand one another.
So, if you’re navigating your own journey of loss, just know that healing is a process. Grief doesn’t truly go away, but it does get easier with time. Be patient with yourself…your timetable is your own. And remember: there’s always a spark of joy to be found. And there is always something to be grateful for.
Thank you for being a part of my journey. Your support and shared stories mean so much to me. If you’ve experienced moments of joy in the midst of challenges, I’d love to hear about them. Let’s keep lifting each other up and spreading positivity wherever we go.
With all the warmth in my heart, 💖
Charlotte