Plenty of moms deserve the happy day

It’s been seven years since I’ve spent Mother’s Day with my mom, and I think because of all the changes in the way we now interact due to the coronavirus, I’ve been feeling a little melancholy for this time of year.

It used to be a big celebratory time at the Nelson household. Not only did we celebrate Mother’s Day, but May 11 was Dad’s birthday and my nephew, Jonah’s birthday, so we’d celebrate all events on the same weekend.

What I miss most is just hanging out, laughing and all the hugs and kisses.

This year, I decided to text my sister in Lake Geneva, my niece-in-law in Illinois and my sister-in-law in Indonesia to wish them all happy Mother’s Days. Communication is so easy these days that I’m amazed I don’t reach out more often. Why do I wait for holidays? Why did I think I could only send wishes to my own mother when there are so many others to spread the good wishes to?

I have only three aunts left, so since we’re not getting any younger, I made sure I called each of them to have an actual conversation on a phone. Oh my, how primitive, but effective.

One aunt was totally surprised, and it was so great to catch up with her. She and her husband had moved from their home in Farmington, Minnesota, to be near their daughter, who is my age, in Blue Earth. I’m not sure that I’d be that willing to pack up and move in my mid-80s, but she was ecstatic to have made the choice and is enjoying her new adventure. My uncle was a pastor, and they were missionaries to Brazil early in their marriage, so moving was something their family did on a regular basis.

My other aunt in Luana, Iowa, is hard of hearing, and my telephone call to her took a little more effort. I think I enjoyed it more than she did, but I could tell she really appreciated my effort. With both of these aunts, I like to push the boundaries of their stoic Nordic ancestry, and so I told them I loved them and waited for the brief silence as it registered what I said before they responded with the typical “OK,” which is code for “I love you, too!” To really know people and where they’re coming from is to truly love them.

Mom’s youngest sister has never had trouble expressing herself, and we reminisced about all the trips she was able to make while Mom and Dad lived at the Homme Home. Although I don’t call her as often as I should, I do call her more than the other two because the conversation is just easier.

It’s been a long time since I’ve packed a bag and gone to visit any of my relatives. Now that it’s not recommended due to the coronavirus, I find myself itching to go for a visit or two or three. Who knows when or if that opportunity will come again? In the meantime, I’ll try to be a better niece and call them more often.

Miriam Nelson is the news editor of the Wittenberg Enterprise and Birnamwood News. Readers can contact her at mnelson@newmedia-wi.com

Category: