Dear Maggie Montclair,
Mother's Day is almost here, and I'm getting depressed. I have four wonderful children who remember me with phone calls, cards, flowers, and gifts. But, they all live out of state, so even though they love me and remember me, I'm alone. Every Sunday afternoon is lonely, but Mother's Day is the worst.
I feel guilty for even admitting that I'm miserable on Mother's Day when so many women aren't even remembered by their busy children. How can I quit feeling sorry for myself?
Alone on Mother's Day
Dear Lonely Mother,
We miss those we love and never seem to see them often enough. Don't feel guilty or let yourself get depressed.
Do something for yourself on Mother's Day. Surely you know at least one person in the same situation. Go through your list of friends and acquaintances and see how many women you know who may be alone on Sunday. Call each of them and invite them to your house, or a movie and dinner. If they come to your house, just make it an afternoon of conversation and cards. Serve simple sandwiches or all of you go out to eat. You might find that you enjoy Sunday afternoon get-togethers so much that you want to make it a habit.
M
P.S Gertie's high school classmate's sister's neighbor dreaded Sunday afternoon and evening. She attended church and then went to lunch with friends. But, the time between 2:00p.m. and bedtime seemed like forever.
One day her granddaughter needed information for a school project. She asked about life when grandma was a little girl. Later, the granddaughter brought her the report with a big A+ at the top. She wanted to know more about her grandmother's life.
Now, Sunday afternoon and evening is 'writing time.' She carries a notebook with her, and whenever she thinks of something to put in her "history book" she jots it down. She says she finds that her mind is now occupied with happy memories. Her goal is to write 1,000 words every Sunday.
So far, she has written all the old family stories that have been passed from generation to generation. No one knows if they are true, but that doesn't matter as long as they are entertaining. Now she is writing about her own life and says she only tells of incidents that make her appear kind and generous. In other words, she puts herself in the best possible light. She says "It's my story, so I can write it anyway I want. If someone remembers something in a different way, they can write their own book."
When her epic is complete, she plans to have it published and give copies to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. All 43 of them.
