Happy Friday to you, beautiful human!
How do I know you are beautiful? Because you are here, wanting to focus on love, appreciation, everyday joy, and gratitude.
You are here, wanting to make magical moments for yourself and for people you love.
I see you. I appreciate you.
I see and appreciate your generous, open heart.
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Here in the United States, it is Mothers Day on Sunday. I’ve been thinking about this holiday — all of the joys and grief (and everything in between) that show up on these kinds of days.
I think it is important on these Hallmark holidays for us to remember the range of emotions people might be experiencing.
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Holidays like Mothers Day can be really rough for people who feel excluded in some way.
Mother’s Day can be such a joyful time for those of us who have mothers we love dearly or children we are deeply connected to. It can be a wonderful day to celebrate with our families.
However, it can be a heartbreaking day for someone whose mother or child has died. It can be emotional for someone whose mom is ill or dealing with dementia. It can bring up deep sadness for people who desperately wanted to have children, but couldn’t. Or for people who are estranged from their children or mothers.
Years ago, my friend Roberta shared with me how hard Mother’s Day was for her as a single mom with a very young child. There was no one to celebrate her. There was no one to take her little boy to the store to pick out a box of chocolates or a flower for his mom.
I say these things because if you are someone who might be having a hard time this week, please know I am here with you.
Know that you can respond to this email and have someone on the other end who is giving you a big ole virtual hug.
Please also consider reaching out to someone you are close with and letting them know you could use some extra love. It can be hard to do that, but it can also be such great self-care. And, we all appreciate being asked to help. Sometimes we just don’t think about it. And it feels good to be asked.
And — if you are someone who is not having a hard time today, would you consider reaching out to one person in your life who might be having a difficult time during Mothers Day celebrations?
Maybe a friend of yours is grieving the loss of a parent or child? Or, maybe you know a single mom who could use some celebration?
Maybe you know someone who has a difficult relationship with her mom or child? Or one of your friends is someone who never had the mother or child she longed for?
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This is also a great day to express appreciation to a woman who nurtured you like a mom. Think about baking some muffins for your sweet auntie who was always there for you. Or, for the woman who took you under her wing and offered love and support.
Let’s make Mothers Day a day of love with many facets.
Let’s open our hearts and send out love to those who are celebrating and those who are sad, too.
Let’s be together in all of it, okay?
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To anyone who is missing your mom — whether she’s passed away or far away — I invite you to join me to celebrate your relationship with her this Sunday at 8:30am-9:30am PDT.
I’m hosting a LOVE LIST workshop through Reimagine, an organization dedicated to conversations about Death and Dying — and living fully.
This workshop is free. You can show up on camera or not. You can come in your pajamas or sweats or with curlers in your hair. I don’t care. I just know that if you are feeling alone or sad, I welcome you. Or, if you are happy and content, I welcome you.
HOWEVER you are, WHOMEVER you are, you are welcome.
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I love you. I’m here with you.
Whatever Mothers Day is or isn’t for you, we’re together. Hand in hand.
Thank you for being on this journey of love, celebration, grief, confusion, messiness, and appreciation with me.
It’s okay (and natural) that it is all here on our journey.
Seek celebration — even in dark corners,
xo Sherry
💖 P.S. Hello Mom! I know you are reading this. I love you and am so grateful for you. I received a big box from you, which I know is filled with Mothers Day gifts. 💕
💖 P.P.S. If you know someone who is far away from their mom or children on Mother’s Day or who is grieving the death of their mom, please give them this link. It can be so comforting to share stories of the people we miss. AND to create a LOVE LIST for them!