I don't remember most of the Mother's Day gifts I've given to my mother. Hopefully she does.

I spent this Mother's Day in Texas, with all three of my children. That is a gift in itself. It's a gift that they thought so too. Each of my children and their spouses made me feel loved and appreciated, which was amazing in light of the week we all had. I'd told Sarah I'd love red crocs and somehow in the middle of a week that included childbirth, she got them for me. Dan and Janea gave me Burnt Toast by Teri Hatcher. I suffer from Burnt Toast Syndrome and can't wait to read it. So I don't want any of my children who read this to feel I preferred one gift over another - how silly. Moms don't work that way. We love homemade ash trays, when we don't smoke, for pete's sake.

But this gift - it wiped me out. After a week of sleeping all over the place (that sounds bad, doesn't it?), we ended up at Leslie and Jeremy's house. Leslie is my middle daughter. She and Jer are expecting their first baby in late August. The last time I saw her she had the flattest little tummy. Not so much now. (I got to feel the baby kick!) This week she and Jeremy drove all over the Metroplex, gave us their bed so we could have much needed deep sleep. They never complained, once, during the week. They told us several times, "this week isn't about us. Sarah and Chris need you. It's Dan's graduation. Don't worry about it." I would have gone home thinking they were wonderful with no other gift than their graciousness toward us and their siblings. (Leslie tells me it's 'middle child syndrome'.)

But this is what I woke up to on Mother's Day. A hot bubble bath, with candles, with classical music playing, with fresh roses, with a mug of coffee by the tub, with two new magazines chosen just for me. And no clock. Can you imagine - getting out of bed and getting into the tub? When did any of us ever do that? Sometimes, when I stay up too late or miss CSI I get a long soak, but to have a hot bath drawn just for me, right smack in the middle of the morning? Wiped me out. She told me "I thought it was what you needed." A gift I will remember, whether she does or not.

PS to our blogger friends - we're praying this upcoming baby is less traumatic in its arrival. Don't want to scare you all off!

Labels: Dusty Stuff