Mother’s Day this year, I suspect, will provide a mixed bag of emotions moreso than years past.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic those of us fortunate enough to have our mothers alive fretted about picking the right gift, anguished over selecting the perfect place to brunch and cheerfully swallowed responses to the “helpful” observations regarding wardrobe and life choices our mothers shared with us.
It is, after all, only one day a year specific to venerating the woman who brought us into the world.
(Despite our best efforts to be thoughtful and kind during the holidays the stress is universal and overwhelming and occasionally manifested in an unkind airing of griefs.)
But this year, obviously, is different. This year by nature and by law we are limited in how we celebrate moms.
That, in turn, may affect our own current confused feelings.
On the one hand there are some adult children who have moved back home after spending years as independent, self- reliant individuals. The reason for the return doesn’t matter so much as the outcome — you’re back under mom’s roof.
Her house, her rules.
This last month and a half of quarantining for the sake of slowing the spread of COVID-19 has provided little to no opportunities for “getting away” to clear your head. Aside from performing essential tasks, the responsible among us stayed home. Refuge was found in our rooms. Like when we were kids.
Or there may have been those among us with older parents with medical conditions that necessitated their moving in with us for the duration of this pandemic.
We worry each time we go out for shopping and return home, hoping we have not somehow jeopardized our mother’s health by inadvertently contracting the virus and passing it along.
And still there are those of us who have struggled to maintain cheerfulness and warmth amid the frustration of trying to explain over the phone or via text how to set up an online video chat platform so we can see mom live and “in person” to see how she is doing or if she needs any groceries. And, of course, to wish her a happy Mother’s Day.
