Hidden in scraps of paper
I didn't know it when I captured this photo, but you were meticulously picking and laying out the outfit that you wanted to wear for Mother's Day. I didn't know that this was going to be the first year that I would truly experience your celebration of me. Up until now, others helped you.
You had been talking about “Mommy’s day” for about a week leading up to Sunday. Telling me of the special “creations” you were making me. Asking me “How many more sleeps?” For the first time, I could tell this day was important to you, not just because someone told you it was.
And so you picked out the gray dress with the gold hearts, to “show me how much you love me”. And at 6 am, wearing your dress, you woke me up and asked “is it time? Can I give you your gifts now?”
You not only brought home the gift your teacher planned, you designed and created a mailbox for me. Covered in striped paper and red fabric, tied up with pink and blue embroidery floss. Inside were carefully cut letter M’s, “for mommy”, with hearts drawn on them. There were also pictures of the 2 of us together, me with my curly hair, eyelashes and “fancy shoes”, you with long outstretched arms holding hearts “your love for me”.
You had me open my mailbox first then handed me a gift wrapped in purple tissue. “I wrapped it myself” you told me and inside was a photo of you framed. Standing against a blue background it read: “I love my mom because… “ and you were holding up a hand written sign, “ she alwayz reeds me boks”. The frame was carefully decorated with blue flowers , red sparkly shapes and rhinestones, placed almost symmetrically on the black frame. Hidden in the scraps of paper and recycled materials laid your gratitude and for the first time I could see how much you wanted me to feel loved and appreciated. Little do you know, you have given me what will be one of my most memorable Mother's Days. Thank you sweet girl.
