Friday, May 7, 2010

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!!!

28 comments:

  1. My eyes are filled with tears but my heart is also filled....with love for what you have created in this post and in your video. Gorgeous women with spirits that just shine through the screen! I am sorry that your mama isn't here on earth anymore but I feel strongly that she is still walking by your side....in the garden and wherever you go. Happy Mother's Day! xx P&H

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  2. Lovely post.

    I lost my mom four springs ago, and I know exactly how you feel.

    I am SO THANKFUL for my mother in law, who truly adopted me and my brother and sister, too.

    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Laura

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  3. Kat, you made me cry. What a beautiful tribute to the Moms in your life.
    I spent a lovely day with my Mom today and after visiting Isabella's( my granddaughter) 1st grade class to celebrate we went to our favorite thrifty haunts and had a wonderful time. I am lucky she is still with me, as I am an only child! Mr. B. has lost both parents( we had distance too, they were from Maryland), but I treasure the time I spent with my mother-in-law. It is terrific that you can be close to yours.

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  4. Oh, Happy Mother's Day, enjoy!!!

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  5. Kat, what a great tribute for your mom and mother in law. My mom and sister are coming over Tuesday for a brunch so I am looking forward to that. My husband's mother passed away when he was fifteen from cancer so I have never had a mother in law. Everyone said she was an angel on this earth. She must have been to have ten children. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day!!!!

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  6. This is such a beautiful tribute to your mother and the video is so touching. I love the music that went along with it. My mother has been gone for 8 years and it never gets easier. Many things you wrote in your post expressed how I feel about her. Thanks so much.

    Happy Mother's Day!

    xoxo
    Jane

    xoxo
    Jane

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  7. Happy Mothers Day to you! Enjoy your weekend amongs your children and wonderful garden. I wish I had all those peonies in my garden.

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  8. Kat,
    What beautiful and sweet post! I'm sorry to hear that you lost your mom six years ago...I'm so lucky to still have mine...Mr.CC tells me that all the time...you see he lost his mom 25 years ago. My mom and Mr.CC have a very close relationship...she counts on him as if was her very own child and he loves it. Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day with your family:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  9. Oh Kat, my heart breaks for you. But I know that there is much love in your life, how could there not be when you're such a beautiful person. Lovely post, and what a lovely way to pay tribute to not only your own mum, but to all mothers.
    Your children are very lucky to have such a wonderful mum. Much love to you on Mothers' Day. K xx

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  10. Wow! What a touching post and video...I can barely type because I am having a hard time seeing through the tears. I did not grow up w/ a loving and nurturing mother because of abuse, but something you said really hit home w/ me. You said your mother "influenced the woman you became." Even though the time I spent with my mother was limited she did influence the woman that I became. She taught me what not to be and I am so blessed to be the mother of two wonderful children who know they are loved. I hope this is your Happiest Mother's Day ever.

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  11. What a lovely tribute to your mothers! So wonderful your video.:)

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  12. Kat, So beautiful. The paragraph you wrote about motherhood being like a beautiful blossom, really struck home, as today I attended a funeral for my dear Aunt as my heart goes out to my dear cousins who will spend their first Mother's Day without her. Your video is such a beautiful dedication to the 'Moms' in your life who I believe never really ever leave our side. Blessings to you dear lady and I wish you a very lovely Mother's Day. ~Lili

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  13. Kat, you have created an amazing and beautiful tribute to your mother and mother-in-law. It was a very moving video. Your mother's legacy of love lives on within you which in turn you will pass on to your children.

    I hope you have an absolutely fantastic Mother's Day!

    ~ Tracy

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  14. Kat~ thank you for sharing this beautiful post! It truly is a loving tribute to two mothers! Have a wonderful Mother's Day with your family!

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  15. Kat I don't really know you or your family and yet I sit at my computer crying. What a wonderful tribute to your Mother's. I could so relate to all of these pictures. In each persons place it could have been one of my family members. Thank you for such a visual reminder of what family is all about and how important each and every member is especially our MOM'S. Happy Mothers day to you sweet lady, You have made mine more meaningful, Kathysue

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  16. I can barely see through the tears to type...what a beautiful and touching tribute to your mother and mother in law. So very sorry to hear that you lost your mother, but it is so obvious that the legacy of her love lives on through you and the love you show your children. May you have a special and wonderful Mother's Day.

    ~jermaine~

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  17. Kat, this beautiful tribute to your Mum and Mother-in-law has made me cry! It is just so lovely. I know that your Mother has such a special place in your heart and your life, and hope that this Mothers Day is filled with wonderful memories for you my dear friend. Happy Mothers day to you ~ Tina xx

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  18. What a beautiful tribute to your mother! Loved the video and the song! She must have been a wonderful person to have raised such a beautiful daughter too! Happy Mother's Day!

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  19. Kat, your video was so touching. As I watched it, my husband sat in the other room and said, "I can tell that is something that I don't want to watch." Apparently the ugly tears gave it away and the fact that I was crying to hard to even tell him what I was watching. We both are quick to cry.
    I know that you miss your mother every day.
    Hugs,
    Rene

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  20. This is such a beautiful post!
    Happy Mother's Day!
    Debby

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  21. Happy Mother's Day to you. Hope you have a great day!

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  22. My, those dresses in the video were classics! The faces aged, but the smiles remained the same. Radiant and true. I thank you for the tribute, for touching my heart. And for being a part of my world. I never knew my mother. Or had a replacement. I envy you that. Hold onto those memories. Keep them in a special place.
    Brenda

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  23. Kat, what a lovely post! My Mom is still living but I have lost both grandmothers and I miss them dearly! You brought tears to my eyes! Love the video! Have a wonderful Mother's Day with your hubby and children!

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  24. Dear Kat - Dad Tide and I both had tears streaming down our faces as we read your loving, caring post. You gave me a beautiful Mother's Day gift with it. Reading what you wrote truly touched me and I will carry it in my heart. I loved the pictures of your mom; she did indeed raise a lovely daughter. Our son, Mr. Tide, was smarter than he knew when he brought you into our family :-)
    Much love, Mom Tide XXX OOO

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  25. Thank you everyone, you all have touched my heart with your wonderful comments!

    And to Mom & Dad Tide, I'm glad you liked it! xo

    Kat :)

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  26. what a lovely post. The pictures of your flowers are stunning and you tribute to both your mother and mother in-law is just gorgeous.
    Who is singing the song? I would like to get a copy for my Mum who I don't tell nearly enough that I love her!
    I hope your Mothers Day was spent with your lovely husband and kids remembering grate times with your Mums x
    Happy Mothers Day from Australia.

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  27. Happy Mothers Day, lovely post. LOVELY PEONIES!!...

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  28. Lovely....just lovely:)
    Thanks for sharing!

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