5/17/2023
“That was the worst Mother’s Day I ever had!” I said four years ago (2019) after having brunch for the first time at Back Bay Bistro in Newport Beach, Califorina. My son (then in 4th grade) said, “Well at least we know your telling us the truth mom because every year you say that’s the best Mother’s Day you ever had!” Four years ago our oldest was 15 and a high school freshman. Her and our other three kids really didn’t have anything nice to say to me during what should have been a really nice place to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Fast forward one year (2020) and with mandatory quarantine I had the best Mother’s Day I had had! The reason it was so great in 2020 was because the same daughter who was leading the negativity pack in 2019 actually lead her other 3 siblings to put on a homemade tea party with scones, Devonshire cream, tea sandwiches, chocolate cake and 2 flavors of macaroons. Julia our second child and daughter handled all the decorations and flowers and it was just beautiful, relaxing & amazing!
As a mostly at- home mom who has served our four children from the time they were newborns that experience really made me understand Jesus in John Chapter 21. Jesus begins by appearing to some of the disciples after his death and resurrection to first tell them which side of the boat they will be able to catch fish on. Ok I’m not Jesus knowing where the fish are that I created but I know my kids more than they know themselves most of the time. I can see clearly (oftentimes) what jobs and callings our kids will have success with if they would just listen to me. Hint hint;) I have been observing them since they were in utero and I have some good guesses of how Jesus would like them to serve Him. Then as Jesus cooks and serves fish & bread to them for breakfast he starts asking them how they are going to serve Him & others moving forward. Yes! We have had these conversations with our children at the dinner table!
I still get choked up thinking about the girls putting on that first Mother’s Day Tea for me. Our oldest really redeemed herself from the year before but knowing my children are serving the Lord in their own unique way is really the best Mother’s Day gift I could get and the gift that keeps on giving!
This year my husband and I did most of the work for our now annual tea party at our rented Lake house near Emily’s college. It makes me so happy to get to spend time with her and watch her work, go to school and plan and do fun things with all her new friends. She is really growing into a young lady of God fast! This year we got the added blessing to wakesurf for the weekend as well as explore a part of the Lake that is usually dry land. Thanks to God for all the rain in California it looked like a fresh water Fern Grotto in Kauai with all the green trees and foliage coming down to the lake!