A Mother's Love

I decided to do my Mother's Day post a tad bit early so that I could enjoy a wonderful weekend with Mr. Tide and my own children and I also had a thank you to make, so I didn't want to wait until Sunday to do that either. I hope you enjoy the video at the bottom of the post and that no matter where you live, or whether it's mother's day weekend or just an ordinary Saturday and Sunday, I hope those days will be special ones!

Love comes in many forms. The love we have for friends, family, neighbors, or cherished pets. Even the love shown by strangers over the internet.

I received a wonderful email from Brenda of  a Cozy Little House yesterday saying that she had included me in her Welcome Wagon Friday post where she highlights new bloggers such as myself! I want to give a BIG thank you to Brenda for the wonderful welcome to Blogland and for sharing the love, it means a lot to a new blogger like me!!!

This Sunday is Mother's Day here in the US and that means that many of us will be focusing on our own mothers, or if you happen to be a mother yourself, hopefully you will be showered with love and attention too!

Mother's Day at my house is bittersweet since the loss of my own mother, and for the last six years this holiday has taken on a whole new meaning for me. With each year that passes I realize more and more the huge influence my mother had upon the woman I have become. It was her strength, love, support, and sacrifice that brought me to the place I am today and what has allowed me to be the kind of mother that I hope I've been to my own beautiful children.

Mr. Tide was blessed in the same way with a mother who guided him and gave him the love and support that not only made him a wonderful husband, but an amazing father! I'm thankful to report that my mother in law is in great health, and since the death of my own mother we have grown much closer even though distance keeps us apart. And the love we share is one which I cherish and hope to have for many years to come!

While out taking pictures of the peonies and roses in my yard today I was struck by how much motherhood is like a beautiful blossom. Although we never really know how long each bloom will last, they leave an indelible mark on this world. They bring joy, beauty, and happiness to those who are lucky enough to be surrounded by them. And even as they fade and their petals drift off in the wind, we are much richer to have had their fragrance and joyfulness in our lives, if only for a while!

I made the following video to honor both of our mothers and although lots of tears were shed in its production, I can assure you that there were many more smiles than tears in the end. I'd like to give special thanks to Mr. Tide and his father for all of their help scanning and emailing pictures for me to use in the video! Be sure to turn up the volume before watching the video.

To all of the Mothers in the world who are giving of themselves tirelessly and often thanklessly, I wish you all the Happiest of Mother's Days!!!