I started the tradition around 30 years ago, when I was a poor teenager in need of a Mother's Day gift for my mom. I continued it as a poor undergrad then a poor grad student then a struggling new teacher until finally it just became expected that I would be the one to buy Mom's Mother's Day corsage. I continued the tradition even today. I knew this was going to be a difficult day, and although I went to Mom's grave yesterday, I had to go back this morning, before church to give her her Mother's Day corsage. When I bought it a few days ago, the florist told me to be sure to keep it refrigerated until I was ready to give it to my mom. I did. I took it out of Dad's refrigerator this morning then Doug and I drove out to the cemetery. I placed the corsage at the base of the stone above Mom's head then I said a prayer asking God to draw her close.
Doug and the girls wanted to buy me a corsage, but I adamantly refused. Perhaps it's selfish of me to want this to be a tradition that only I could do for my mom even though children all across the country bought corsages for their mothers. Doug understood my reasoning, even w/o me having to explain. Maybe they can buy one for me next year.
Today was definitely an emotional roller coaster. I had the joy of my daughters and husband showering me w/ gifts and love. I had the sadness of putting Mom's corsage on her grave instead of her chest. I had the delight in seeing my Aunt Irene celebrate 90 years (her birthday is actually on the 11th) as friends and family gathered to honor her. She and Mom used to always celebrate their birthdays together. We always had a tradition that the aunts, uncles, and cousins would get together to play cards (Rook mostly) and eat ice cream, cake, and tuna-salad sandwiches. Mom always made the sandwiches. No matter whose birthday or at whose house, Mom made the sandwiches. We had cake and punch and coffee and mints and nuts for Aunt Irene's 90th birthday, but no tuna-salad sandwiches.
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