Hell Weekend—I’m sorry, Mother’s Day Weekend—is upon us. Not being a mother, I’m going to spend the next few days avoiding restaurants, florists, candy shops, and even the slightest chance encounter with anyone who might wish me…well, you know.
The one thing I cannot avoid is also my one bright spot of pure love: Louie. My funny bundle of fur is a cuddler and a kisser. He is smart. He beams when he masters a new trick. He entertains me with his antics. When he “wins” our tug-of-war games, he immediately brings the rope back to me for a fresh round of play. He “sings” duets with me at least once every day. (It’s not pretty, but it’s incredibly sweet. And, no, I’m not posting a video or audio track.) He greets me every morning like it’s been years since we were last together. He’s one of the great loves in my life.
When people ask my husband if we have kids, he generally answers, “No, we have dogs.” I don’t ever refer to Louie as my “baby,” for he is no substitute for the children I’d hoped to have in my life. But he does provide me with so much love, that he frequently distracts me from my losses.
If you have a four-legged companion in your life, I hope they give you extra love and comfort this weekend. If not, I hope this photo of me and my little guy at least gives you a smile today.
Louie and Kath
Be gentle with yourself this weekend!
Kathleen Guthrie Woods is mostly at peace with being childfree.
very well written. we have fur babies that bring us so much love. each one brought into our life at exactly the right time. as I was searching for help this morning on being motherless I am so glad I happened to make.it to this blog!
Louie is so cute!! I’m a dog mom also, totally obsessed with our puppy, even have a dog mom shirt and mug. I wish I could avoid it all together, but have to deal with it at work, luckily I’m off Sunday.
I have no children, no Mom, no spouse, no dogs yet I take the opportunity on Mothers Day week to bless others, other women, women who need encouragemet, I send around 20 Mothers day cards to women, childless, young Moms, stressed Moms, elderly Moms just to say “Thank You”
I think enjoying Mothers day weekend and referring it was an opportunity instead of “hell week” comes with age.
I am considered a Senior Citizen myself and at my age I see husbands passing, my friends becoming widows, I see friends passing and I am realizing how important life is and the opportunity to enjoy it and pass the blessing along
You can eventually get there. I understand as I have been in your position but am so happy to be able to enjoy the day with families from the church.
Nita, I find this fascinating. In NZ, if anyone got a Mother’s Day card from anyone but their own children it would seem odd. (Unless it was someone who had truly been a mother figure in the absence of their own.)
Maybe we don’t quite make it such a big deal here, I don’t know.
That’s a cute photo!
One of my favourite comebacks to the “why don’t you have children?” question is the line, “the dogs (or cats) are allergic!” Though I think I’ve only used it once. And our cats are gone now, so I don’t get to say it even if I thought of it at the time!
Mali – I love your quick witted response to the question about not having kids. May I please borrow that? 😉 It’s quite fitting for me as I suffer from severe allergies. haha But thank goodness for my two cavapoo pups which are hypo-allergenic. As Kathleen mentioned, Roscoe and Gumbeaux will never fill the void of not having a child of my own, but our fur babies bring us so much joy and nice distraction too.
This past Sunday, I was photo shooting a Mother’s Day event and the manager gave me an orchid corsage, knowing I was only a mom to “furry babies”. It was so sweet. In the past few years I have given myself permission to graciously say, “thank you” when someone wishes me a Happy Mother’s Day. Although, admittedly, it still stings a little to hear those words.
Great photo, Kathleen! 🙂