Mother’s Day started the way it should. With nowhere to be and nothing to do.
I went to bed around 9 the night before, so by the time my eyes opened at 7, I’d already won. I rolled back over anyway. By 9, I was up, propped up watching church on Youtube, still in bed, still completely unbothered. Eventually I got up. Not because I had to, but because I was ready. And yall know that distinction matters.
The kids had been up. They came in to say happy Mother’s Day, announced they were going outside, and wanted to know what time we were leaving for the movie.
They Came in With Cards, a Pillow, and a Poster the Size of a Small Country
Before the day got going, they brought me their gifts.
Cards. A pillow. And a poster. Aliah had actually made the poster the day before with her friend down the street. It was so large that when she presented it to me, we had to work together to figure out where in the world to put it. A whole project. I love her for it.
The pillow is in the bed. Them excited now I have one more to prop myself. They smiled ear to ear presenting it to me.
The Movie Was Their Idea (And They Paid)
This is the part I need you to understand: my children planned this.
The previous Thursday, Arrington and Aliah decided they wanted to take me and their Mimi to the movies for Mother’s Day. They divided the responsibilities like little business partners. Arrington handled the tickets. Aliah handled the popcorn. Both eager to be able to pamper Mimi and me.
We saw Michael. The Michael Jackson biopic. Having to look no further than our row, three generations grew up with Michael Jackson as a soundtrack to some part of their life. Different decades, same thread. That’s not nothing.
The movie gave us something to talk about all the way to dinner, and that alone was worth every kernel of Aliah’s popcorn budget.
The TexMex Was a Whole Negotiation
My mom and I were heavily lobbied into TexMex for early dinner. Arrington and Aliah presented their case, and we let them win.
The food was fine. I’ll leave it right there. We talked and laughed. The conversation was easy and light. The margarita was the highlight; good enough to make you stop noticing what’s on the plate.
A meaningful Mother’s Day was never going to be about the chips and salsa anyway.
Me and My Mom
Mimi has always been Mimi. My kids are obsessed with her. Have been since they could form opinions about people. Watching her in that theater, watching her at the dinner table, watching my kids just beam at her. That part of the day I cherish.
My mom and I have done some work to build something that feels really good right now. I don’t take that lightly. Celebrating Mother’s Day alongside her, being celebrated alongside her by these two who love us both fiercely, that’s not a small thing to me. That’s the thing.
That’s What a Meaningful Mother’s Day Looks Like for Me.
Not produced. Not performed. Just a slow morning, a movie my kids paid for, dinner that was more about the table than the food, and the people I love most, doing exactly what they do.
That’s it. That’s the whole thing. And it was enough.
Before You Go
I filmed the day—or at least the best parts of it—and the full vlog is up Thursday, May 14th on the Life in AD YouTube channel. Come see how it all actually went.
BTW: “A family is like a forest—when you are outside it is dense; when you are inside you see that each tree has its place.” – African proverb
How did you spend your Mother’s Day?
Other Post You May Enjoy:
Black Faith Journey: Sunday Best, Come As You Are
Love Is Still the Assignment: Choosing Love in Everyday Life
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