Try a Different Approach

This year in order to receive my props for being a great mother I was asked to be ready to go out to breakfast at 7:30 a.m. What’s the deal? Last year I was served breakfast in bed. But I was informed that we were going to do something different this year and it did not include waiting for two hours in order to have diner in a restaurant filled with mothers, grandmothers, and all the honorees children and other family members.

By 8:00 a.m. we left the house and went to a nice little place in the Old Town section of the city. A place too fancy to be a called coffee house (it has chandeliers) but not a four star restaurant. We were told the wait would only be 45 minutes. So, we sat in the chairs lined up on the sidewalk and people watched as other families came to give the hostess a name and then sit or stand around watching the morning haze clear away as the sun began to shine. Service was quick, breakfast was delicious and we weren’t rushed to finish by the staff. This was part one of Mother’s Day. So far it was a success.

Part two was the surprise activity for the day. We walked about two blocks to one of those businesses where those with a yen for creativity can become full fledged artist for two hours. The ceramic paint store does half the work by having already formed pieces on the shelf. For their project, the artist selects from cups, bowls, piggy banks, candleholders, large frogs, wall hangings, and a variety of other items. The artist then sits at a table, decides on the design from their imagination or inspiration from available art books, and then chooses colors to paint (glaze) with. After about two hours, you are expected to have completed your work.

Everyone was in agreement that each of our efforts was outstanding! Compliments flowed all around.

While glazing my mug, I took time to look around at groups at nearby tables. It was nice to see mothers who had brought in their young children to paint a keepsake for remembering the day. A couple of mothers helped their children to place a handprint or even a footprint on a platter. Fathers and grandfathers who were present seem to be having a good time just getting their project covered with glaze.

Our ceramic pieces would be put in a kiln to set the glaze and ready for pick up in seven days.

Some people opted to create their pieces in advance of The Day. There was a steady stream of fathers bringing in their children to pick up finished ceramic pieces that had been glazed a week in advanced. I could just imagine the joy Mom would have as she unwrapped the gift especially made for her.

This Mother’s Day celebration was a refreshing change. If you’re willing to let your children plan the event you just might end of doing something different than sitting in a chair waiting for your name to be called. Of course, I want to still keep the part where they handed me a bouquet of flowers.

And how was your Mother’s Day?