Mother's Day

I don't think there's a single person out there who didn't know that Mother's Day was yesterday. Between social media, television programming (even Oliver's cartoons addressed Mother's Day), church sermons and the plethora of folks out for Sunday brunch, you just can't avoid the day. Even if you try, as I've done in recent years. 

This year, however, I was able to celebrate being a mom. In real life. Not "mom" to a cute little one living on the other side of the world whom I had yet to meet. Not a woman trying to become a mom or navigating the prospect of never becoming a mother. For the first time in a number of years, there was no emptiness and sadness filling my day. No sobbing quiety in church during the worship music. No dread.

Instead, there was joy, love, humor, frustration (hey, he's 2.5 years old and acting like it -- every day has some frustration!) and family time. We had brunch with Tony's parents to celebrate and they snapped this photo of us after the meal:

Trying to get a family photo with an active toddler is a challenge!

Our family! I am blessed to be mom to this amazing, funny, loving little man. His hugs melt my heart, his laughter brings joy to my life, and I am immensely grateful.

I am a mother today to a child who has two mother's that came before me. Two other women who have had a significant impact on his life. I reflected on that yesterday and pray that his birth mother and foster mother somehow know just how loved and cherished he is. How blessed we are because he's in our life. How much we appreciate the roles they have had in helping him grow into who he is today.

Yesterday afternoon Oliver and I walked to the neighborhood park. We pass by a fire hydrant, which he always has to stop and touch. Here are a couple of photos -- can you tell that he just loves all things fire (engines, hoses, hydrants)?!

Hugging the hydrant; he's so happy to see it!

Love

And now it's Monday, the first day of the work week. Also my last day working for The Collaborative. I've been here for over 10 years and it is very much like a family.  Leaving this job, this role, this place....it's bittersweet. Our company is morphing and wrapping up much of its work, so we've been winding things down over the last month or so. I will begin the next chapter of my work life next Monday as I help manage the transition of The Collaborative's largest event to the local organization that will be taking over the co-hosting duties. I will still be in touch with both my current boss and my coworker as we will all have a role in the transition of the conference, so at least today isn't a good bye. It will be strange to no longer gaze out my window and see the adult "bookstore" and the topless bar; to hear the Hennepin Avenue traffic; to have the office temperature be far too hot or too cold (never just right); and to be working with these people that I've come to know so well.