In the weeks before Mother’s Day, I had planned to write a glorious and glowing post about motherhood.  I felt sure that words would emerge and my story would unfold. Yet, I sat for hours; the heat of my laptop warming my thighs as my fingers clicked away, typing words that just didn’t belong to me. I struggled to express what I felt in my heart. Too melancholy for a celebratory post I put my laptop away for a few days.

Instead, I focused on my Sunday before Mother’s Day ritual, handpicking cards and writing personal notes to my girlfriends, sisters and aunts. Since my mom’s passing, I have honored her by celebrating the amazing moms I know and admire. As I dropped my stack of cards into the mailbox, I smiled thinking about each one of them opening my small gift and smiling too.

With Mother’s Day nearing, I…

Evening walk on the beach trail, Santa Ana winds have cleared the sky, stars shine, and the moon hides. Catalina’s silhouette glows in the distance. I glance at the homes across the highway, wondering if my neighbors are enjoying the beautiful view. Elegant pendant lamps catch my eye, and a man tidies his living room on the second floor. Helium filled heart-shaped balloons, nudged by the gentle ocean breeze, dance across the floor toward him. He is someone’s Valentine. He casually pushes them away. I shake my head, yet another reminder that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. I want to be annoyed, and tell it to go away, but I smile instead, knowing that it’s better for my heart and mind.
As a little girl I LOVED Valentine’s Day. Carefully writing and decorating cards, I’d choose the best one for my latest victim of puppy love, even adding an extra, Be…