My Mom passed away suddenly on May 18, 2010. It was the biggest shock I’ve ever experienced. She was here one day and gone the next.
But through my grief, I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the Mom that I had, and the years I had her.
Since that time I have prioritized the power of gratitude in my life.
A few years ago, I was lying in bed on the winter solstice, just a few days before Christmas, the holiday my Mom loved most. I don’t think I will ever meet someone who loved Christmas as much as she did.
When we were kids, she once organized an entire neighborhood event, shepherding all the children from house to house singing Christmas carols. This was followed by a gathering at our home with hot chocolate and her large assortment of homemade Christmas cookies, which she had been joyfully baking for weeks. At the time, my brother, sister and I thought this was a common occurrence in the new neighborhood we had just moved into, but as it turns out, it was all my mother’s doing.
Christmas brings up many beautiful memories along with a great longing for the days when I could hug my Mother any time I wanted to, and her warm embrace would soothe me for days.
Among her many talents, my Mom knew how to hug.
As I thought about my Mom that night, missing her terribly, that same overwhelming feeling of gratitude took over and I silently sent 100 million thank you’s to her in heaven.
This year, as we shelter in place, my six year old son and I decided we would create a project called the 100 Million Thank You Project. The project is meant to inspire gratitude at a time when we can all use it. I hope you will check it out! #100MTYProject
Mother’s Day 2020, like all things lately, will feel a bit different for many. My heart goes out to those of you who won’t be able to hug your Moms due to the social distancing and lockdown measures that have been put in place, and for those who may have lost a Mom recently.
Here is a Mother’s Day gratitude meditation you can do to help you remember that feeling of Mom around you. Feel free to share it.
I am also co-hosting a Live Mother’s Day Gratitude Healing and Meditation free online event this Sunday from 9:30 – 10:30 am – you can register here!
Stay well and may gratitude be with you always,