You met the and have come back each Wednesday to read what they have to say on the newest parenting question. Recently, we invited Wantagh-Seaford Patch parents to join the discussion.
In honor of Mother's Day this past weekend, we asked our local moms to talk about what the holiday means to them and what made their day special.
Jane Cappiello
As a regular contributor to Family Forum, I was asked to write about my Mother’s Day. Having lost my own mother at the beginning of this year, I wasn’t sure that I would contribute to the article.
As Mother’s Day approached, I secretly wished this day would be the same as any other. I tried to stick to a routine (my husband always challenges that statement) and hurry along the hours so that I would not have to think of how much I missed her. She was elderly with many ailments and suffered greatly. It was truly her time to go. I reflected on how much she gave to me through my life-encouragement, support, fun and most importantly, time. We shared a lot of laughs. I could depend on her to find the humor in difficult situations. We often hear that as we grow older we will become wiser, and she did. While speaking to one of her caregivers at her funeral, I heard myself saying that I wished I could be like her.
Sunday did come and many wonderful things happened. My husband planned a surprise shopping spree. Reluctantly, I went along with the idea. During the course of the shopping, I began to feel better and dragged him all through the Roosevelt Field Mall. The clothes he bought for me were a treat; the time we spent together was priceless.
A barbecue was planned for dinner. With children studying for their college finals and New York State tests, I had some time to myself. What to do? A knock at the door and I was greeted with a bouquet of fresh flowers from a young friend. A wonderful surprise! I also received a phone message from a close friend wishing me a happy Mother’s Day.
Kisses and hugs from my children were the best treat of all. What I thought was going to be the saddest day to get through became one of the happiest. Thanks mom, for teaching me to see the best in everyday!
Cathy Fressle
I had a nice Mother's Day. My kids were very cute; they gave me cards and candy. I stopped to see my mom, she still lives in Levittown, and then we went to Freeport and had lunch. It was a beautiful day outside. It is nice to appreciated!
I think about someday when my kids will be grown and have kids of their own and hope they understand and realize what I do for them, just as I have realized what my mom did for me growing up. Happy Mother's Day to all!
Kathleen Vaughan Ware
I received a phone call from my friend Shannon on Mother’s Day. Her voice cracked and she was barely able to say “Happy Mother’s Day” before she burst into tears. Shannon’s mother had recently passed away after a long fight with ovarian cancer, and this was her first Mother’s Day without her beloved mom.
“I’m coming over,” I said, hoping I could give whatever comfort I could to my friend. “No, that’s okay, I’m just being a big baby,” Shannon said. “I’ll be alright, it’s just such a beautiful day outside and every Mother’s Day my mom and I would spend hours planting our spring flowers and laughing; it just leaves a hole in my heart now that she’s gone”.
At that moment, I thought about how blessed I was to be able to still have my mother in my life. We call each other often and see each other a few times a month. We have the same sense of humor and have been known to spend hours laughing so hard our stomachs hurt.
As my husband played basketball in the driveway with my daughter, I grabbed my keys and told him I had to run a few errands. “Is everything ok?” he asked, perhaps noticing the expression on my face. “No, but it will be,” I replied.
After a quick trip to Hicks Nursery, I drove to Shannon’s house. I quietly opened the gate to her backyard and found her planting away. Startled, she looked at me with red eyes. I kneeled down next to her, and said “Happy Mother’s Day sistafriend." We hugged for what seemed like hours, and resumed gardening. It was my best Mother’s Day ever.
