Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Mother's Day Reflections 2020

Mother's Day 2020 was yet another significant date affected by COVID-19, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

Youngest son, Jeremy, lives on acreage with plenty of space between neighbors, so he invited Jerry and I over for an afternoon outdoors - a 'Corona-cookout' he called it, followed by a bonfire.  He kept close tabs on Michigan weather [which has leaned more toward winter than spring lately], and said last Wednesday, May 6th, was the best day for outdoor activities.  A 60 degree, sunny day was forecasted with an 8:30 p.m. sunset.   And for once the meteorologist got it right!

Jerry and I have been diligent about following social distancing rules and sheltering in place.  Gloves and face masks have been worn whenever we've ventured out, but as Mother's Day approached, we bent the rules a little by accepting Jeremy's invitation.

We arrived at their house around 4:00 o'clock.  Our daughter-in-law, Samantha, had a wonderful meal prepared that required Jeremy being the grill master [chicken kabobs]. Yum!


While Jeremy grilled, the grandkids enjoyed their swings and trampoline.



We ate on the deck, and after dinner Jeremy built a bonfire.  We visited and Izzy played her ukulele for us.  [Jeremy's house/deck is visible in the photo below.]


[Jeremy and Samantha]


[Izzy]

[Jerry and Me]

It was such a fun afternoon/evening.  Just before the sun went down we headed for home.  It was a dose of 'happy medicine' which everyone needs during this pandemic. They sent me home with a beautiful, fragrant bouquet of flowers and a gift card [for whenever the stores open up again].


On Saturday afternoon, my daughter, Lori, phoned to say she and her husband were on their way over to deliver a Mother's Day gift.  Since she's in a medical profession and has been exposed to the virus [but thankfully never contracted it], they stayed outside and I talked to them from the front porch.   There weren't any hugs or kisses.  😥

They brought me a gorgeous red geranium plant to go in a ceramic pot on my front porch. For now it's sheltered in the garage because we've had snow flurries and sub-freezing temps the last few days.  


Mother's Day morning she sent a text with an attached picture of the two of us in London, England, five years ago on Mother's Day.  It brought back such wonderful memories.


My middle child, Steve, posted a picture on Facebook that I didn't even know existed.  Last year on Father's Day he called me up front to pray a combination prayer for all the fathers in our congregation, followed by the benediction.  He said even though the picture was poor quality in terms of clarity, it was a picture he loved.  His youngest daughter, Brooke, was on one side of him and I was on the other.  [Whoever took the picture wasn't praying! ;-)]


We had the virtual Zoom tea at 1:00 o'clock [that I blogged about yesterday], then I cleared the table and put things away to get ready for Steve, Sharon, and Brooke's arrival.  Last year on Mother's Day our entire family was together at Villa Penna - an awesome Italian Banquet Center.



This year, however, they weren't open for public dining due to the Coronavirus, so they came up with a Mother's Day catered/carry-out meal that served five.  Steve picked it up at 2:30 and they arrived at our house with the feast at 3:00.

We went from a fancy virtual tea party with china and linens to aluminum carry-out containers on the table in two short hours! ;-)  In my defense, I did use placemats and nice water goblets!  There was food galore - much more than would serve five, and it was so delicious.

Brooke set the timer on my iPhone to take the group picture below.  Her generation and even younger are so tech savvy.



I'm trying to remember all the food: Two kinds of soup, including Italian Wedding; Tossed Salad with two dressings; Focaccia Bread; Meat-stuffed Pasta Shells; Mostaccioli; Breaded Chicken Cutlets; Baked Ham with a Pineapple Sauce; Green Beans; and Potatoes Anna.  I sent all the leftovers home with Steve, but kept the Potatoes Anna for myself. ;-)  We had the treats from the virtual tea party for dessert.

They stayed for a couple of hours and then left so they'd be home in time for our weekly Zoom family session at 7:30.   They truly were 'care givers' on Mother's Day, nourishing both body and spirit.

I didn't get to see granddaughter, Tiffany, and her two precious daughters, Evie and Juliette, but I'll share a picture she posted on Facebook.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family.


Jerry and I are back in quarantine mode now for its duration.  I'll close this post by sharing an adorable tea-themed Mother's Day graphic that my friend, Joy, shared on her Facebook page.  I hope your Mother's Day was special whether you were being celebrated, or you were celebrating your mother.


Be safe and stay well!


1 comment:

  1. What fun you had in your multiple Mother's Day celebrations! I'm so glad you could be with so many of your family members at one time or another.

    ReplyDelete

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