The Perfect Mother’s Day

A perfect Mother’s Day would be a balmy 70-degrees with a light breeze and partial clouds. My husband, Dean, would get up with our boys at 6:00 a.m. so that I could sleep late. When I finally made it to the kitchen for breakfast, I would find a nice breakfast of Eggs Benedict and scones.

We’d all spend the day together doing something fun outside like hiking or playing at a park. The children wouldn’t fight with each other at all. In the evening, Dean would fix a gourmet dinner, and the kids would sit and eat their food without anyone screaming, crying or jumping up to run around the table.

After our meal, Norah, Graeme and Miles would gather around me to...
...give me homemade cards, hugs, and kisses.

On the surface, such a day sounds lovely.  But it also sounds a little dull and like something out of Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Real life and motherhood are messy. My children will fight. The weather may or may not cooperate with plans for outdoor adventures. My husband can’t boil water. But my children will give me hugs and kisses and write me sweet notes, and really, I can’t ask for anything more.

Contributed by Carrie Vittitoe, parent-writer, Today’s Family magazine.