I find it a little difficult to sit at my computer this morning and get back to work. My days spent with my mother were filled with recovery, rejuvenation and relaxation. I knew I was tired when I left here but did not know the extent of my fatigue until I started to relax.
I just returned from spending nine days in Louisiana with my precious ninety-one year old mother. I went with the intention of being fully present to myself and to her and that is all I did. I sat around, laid around and devoted most of my time to being with my momma and resting my body.
Me and my mother
Every morning we’d sit at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee or tea and talk for two to three hours. She had a lot of family memories to share and I sat with my notebook open and pen in hand. One day we sat for five hours and looked at pictures and talked about old times. Though she is having some problems with short-term memory she certainly has no issues with her long-term memory. She related story after story to me of her childhood and our family history.
The rest of the time we laid back in recliners and mindlessly watched TV. I usually watch very little TV, but if she wanted to lay back and watch, I joined her. I took naps in the recliner every day and was in bed around 9:30 every night. I slept like a baby. Some nights we sat at the kitchen table and played cards for a couple of hours. We laughed, we cried, and we drank each other in.
My mother, Pearl
She and I were taken out to lunch three times by different family members. One day I joined my favorite girl cousins for lunch and I even spent time with some school buddies I hadn’t seen in fifty-five years. I had many loving and intimate chats with my granddaughter and some precious, warm moments with my daughter. The morning I left for home, my son and I met at the airport and had a coffee. He was flying out the same time I was, but on a different airline.
Mike at the airport
My son, Mike
I had no internet connection so I had a nine-day break from emails, social media, and blogging.I did bring my laptop and at my leisure I edited two chapters of the rough draft of my book. Other than the editing, I only wrote in my journal.
As much as I love my beloved husband and missed him, I couldn’t help notice how hard it was for me to leave Louisiana. I didn’t want to give up the relaxing days of having nothing to do, or the gift of spending so much quality time with my mother.
Coming home was stepping back into reality. Back to being present to our unemployment situation, housework, social media and writing, and taking care of business. It’s not that I wanted to escape any of these things but after nine days of being away from them, I was not looking forward to picking up where I left off.
I’m home and I’m getting back into the groove of my daily life. I feel like something has changed in me as a result of my trip. I had a taste of freedom from stress and enjoyed deep relaxation in my body and mind and I’m looking at ways to stay in that zone. I know that life is as it is but I want to learn to stay present to it without getting back into the stressful place I was in. I have a strong desire to recreate on a moment by moment basis the level of relaxation I had in Louisiana while being with my mother.
“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” Buddhist Proverb
Days spent with our family are important for sure. As long as they stay in good health, which we all hope for with our parents, those later years become much more peaceful together. Now to integrate that peace back into your day to day life! I’m taking a holiday with my Mum soon and I hope it will have the same effect, which can continue for long after we return.
Girl in transition: Isn’t it wonderful that we get to embrace our mothers? I trust you will have a holiday filled with love and fun. Thanks for following and for your comment.
What a special time you had with your mother and how lucky you are to still have her. Those stories she told and you wrote down will be a treasure to you forever. So glad for you.
Thanks, Stacey. This is not the first time she’s told me stories but this time I was in a position where I could write everything down. I have filed all of this away with the other wonderful memories of my mother.
That is so beautiful. I got a sense of the connection you felt, and I’ve been holding close to my own mother of late as well. I’m glad you got to do that Brenda, and wish you all the best as we go forward (or sideways, or however) through each day. Jerri
Thank you for your comment, Jerri. It’s hard to believe when I bought the plane ticket my intention was to go and get the visit over with. I’m so glad I changed my intention somewhere along the line. Best to you also. Hugs, Brenda
Brenda,
This was so poignant and so inspiring. You and your mom are blessed to have each other.
I tweeted this on.
Tom
Tom, I appreciate your comment. I also appreciate the writing you do and the way you express your truth. Thanks for following and for leaving a comment.
I appreciate the RT.
What a gift to have an extended visit like that with your mom and family (and with yourself!). So glad you were able to do this.
Thank you, Viki. Indeed it was a precious gift.
What a beautiful post, Brenda. Really glad you took some time out and spent it with your beloved mum. That time is precious and it’s nice to rekindle memories from time to time as it reminds us of where we have come from and how it has shaped us to who we are today.
I bet your mum loved having your beautiful energy around and I can already feel how much more relaxed you are. Going from experience it is hard to stay in that beautiful zone you found yourself in, but I do hope you can find the balance between rest and busyness as an ongoing thing, as you will be so much happier for it.
Sending you much love and may some very good newz come your way shortly ♥♥ You deserve it ♥♥
Thank you, Michele. There was a divine connection between me and my mother. We’ve been very close for years, but this was something special.
I appreciate the thought of good news coming our way. I’m feeling that my hubby may be getting a job soon. It feels like the energy is changing in that area. We are wide open to receiving good news!!
)) xoxoxo
Those nine days were gold! Keep adding to your “heart account”!
You are so right, Rosie. Somehow, we both knew we had been gifted.
you can feel your energy, it’s lighter…
I like that…..
Take Care…
You Matter…
)0(
maryrose
Maryrose, Something definitely happened to both me and my mother and other family members. We all seem to have been touched by divine love. It was pure magick