When all is right with the world.
When the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining and all of your dreams have come true, Mother’s Day is a glorious occasion to celebrate!
But, what if it isn’t? What if Mother’s Day is a bit hard?
Or what if it’s really hard?
Mother’s Day is one of those ‘holiday’s that can stir up mixed feelings for so many people. It can be filled with cherished memories and fulfilled dreams.
Or, it can be a day filled with reminders of what has been lost and what might never be.
And yet…and yet…
where there is sorrow and loss and heartache,
there is always the opportunity for grace and healing and redemption.
And when Blue Nile asked if we would partner with them on a very special Mother’s Day giveaway, we knew that we wanted to celebrate ALL sides of motherhood. The beautiful, all is right with the world, dreams come true side.
And the side that is so often not discussed but so really needs to be. The harder side.
Today, we’re welcoming to At the Picket Fence two very special mothers. They may have very different stories but they have one thing in common. They have experienced BOTH sides of motherhood and want their experiences to be a blessing and encouragement to others.
And we asked them to share what Mother’s Day means to them.
Lauren
Mother’s Day is a bittersweet day for me. This year it also happens to be my 34th birthday. We have a beautiful three year old son named Cooper. I could not be more grateful for his sweet spirit. I am more than honored to be his mommy. Any mom knows that our children are the ones that teach us much more than we could ever begin to teach them. He is a true gift. My husband and I also have three babies that are in heaven that we have lost through miscarriage. We lost our first angel baby in December 2012 and two more have gone to be with Jesus since Mother’s Day of last year. I ache for them, especially so on Mother’s Day. I wish so badly I could hold and rock them and sing to them, so much so that sometimes the pain takes my breath away. The beautiful lesson I am learning is that it is ok to be so unbelievably GRATEFUL for what you have and at the same time so deeply GRIEVING what you have lost. I think as mom’s, and just as people in general, we sometimes have a hard time with this. On one hand we are truly SO grateful for what we do have, and at the same time our hearts ache for what we have lost. We compare to situations that are worse than ours and sometimes as a result minimize the pain we are actually in. What I want to say to any mom who has lost a child in any way, and to those who maybe can’t have a child but desperately wish you could, be honest with someone you trust this Mother’s Day. Be honest about the grief. And at the same time let’s rejoice in our blessings. And above all else, know you are not alone.
Chenoa
Growing up, Mother’s Day meant mimosas, flowers and brunch. My mom loved celebrations and she especially loved Mother’s Day. It was always a joyful day. A day filled with gratitude and recognition for all she did for our family. That all changed when I was 27 and my mom died of pancreatic cancer a week before Mother’s Day. Her memorial was held the day after Mother’s Day that year. I was pregnant with my daughter at the time and I was also motherless. In years to come, Mother’s Day would become a day I would anticipate with dread. And, as my alcoholism progressed, it would become one more excuse for me to numb my pain and feelings. Despite having two beautiful children and a husband who wanted to celebrate me, I couldn’t see past my own despair. Instead of focusing on what I did have, I chose to focus on what I didn’t have – my mom.
Today, my life looks much different. In sobriety, I have found joy and contentment in the now. I still miss my mom terribly, but I choose to celebrate all that I have instead of focusing on what I don’t. Mother’s Day is now a day for me to celebrate the joys and blessings of motherhood and also a time for me to honor my mom. And, because my mom’s happiest place was in her garden, I always set aside some special time to plant flowers and thank her for giving me such a beautiful life.
To read more about my sober life, please visit my blog at Life Corked
The many sides of motherhood. Maybe you can relate to some of what Lauren and Chenoa shared. Or perhaps your story is vastly different. But we all have a story, right?
What does Mother’s Day mean to you? Maybe it’s all been flowers and sunshine and dreams come true. But, we would venture to guess that even in the midst of the flowers and the sunshine there have been moments that are hard. Maybe even really hard.
And, whether your Mother’s Day ‘cup’ is filled to overflowing with joy and laughter or whether it’s filled to overflowing with sorrow and tears, we are all linked together in this motherhood bond one way or another.
Maybe that’s why we were so drawn to the Infinity Love Knot Pendant.
There are links that join our lives together. At the risk of sounding corny (we’ll always take that risk!) you might even call them ‘love links’. Whether it’s mother to child or husband to wife or sister to brother or friend to friend.
And knowing that we are linked together on this journey of life is the most beautiful mother’s day gift of all!
Blue Nile wants to help you celebrate Mother’s Day and we’re thrilled to be giving away a $100 Credit to their online store. They even have an entire section of $100 and under gifts with so many amazing options!
AND
Don’t forget to enter their Pin to Win contest where one lucky winner will receive this stunning Blue Nile Signature Hearts and Arrow Cushion Cut Pendant.
Pearls, I think. They have some beautiful pearl options!
If I was blessed to win, I’d get my sweet Aunt a charm bracelet in sterling silver with some cool charms as a Mother’s Day present! Thanks for the chance to win!
Joey J.
It might be hard to choose which Blue Nile item I like best! I do love the Infinity Love Knot necklace. Thanks for the chance to win. Happy Mothers Day, ladies!
I would probably choose a couple of the charms for my charm bracelet and a charm for my mom’s charm bracelet. The coffee cup — for both of us! Nothing better than catching up with mom over a cup of coffee!
I LOVE the hand-engraved heart locket in sterling silver! Beautiful.
I am drawn to the gorgeous gemstone pendants, especially the blue topaz.
So many beautiful choices–I would probably get something from their gold/silver collection.
I love the pearl and topaz earrings
I just had a baby in February, the only grandchild on both sides. I’d buy amethyst for my mom for her first Mother’s Day as a gram.
I’d get those beautiful pearls for my MOM. As far as I know she’s never had anything as nice as these. What beautiful pieces. Thanks for the chance to enter.
I love Blue Nile. I would have no problem spending on there lovely website. I would most likely purchase the tri color bangle. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. I hope you will add your giveaway to my giveaway page. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway too ♥
Annie Sportun designs are gorgeous!!! Love all the yellow gold designs – especially the Icicle Pendant.
Thanks for introducing us to Blue Nile!!! They have some beautiful jewelry that any mother would love to wear.
My mom turned 85 last week on April 1 and we buried my 94 year old father on the same day. When we realized that was the day that would make the most sense for the funeral, mom decided that was not a problem for her. She said “We have much to celebrate on this day together. I came into this world on this day and celebrate your father’s wonderful life and his going home on this day.” And we did, with much reflection on all of our blessed lives together.
Mother’s Day has always been a day for my family to gather to celebrate. It was very lonely for me on the first Mother’s Day after my Mother died, although my children still celebrate this day with me. We have coconut cake for dessert and homemade ice cream and love being together.
Would love to win a gift certificate to use on beautiful Blue Nile jewelry.
I love the Infinity Pendant. Lovely jewelry at Blue Nile.
One of the greatest gift God has blessed me with is being a mother and now a grandmother! I would purchase a gift for my daughters to thank them for my grands!
I love the graduated silver beaded necklace…vey classic…so that would be my choice! Thanks for the chance to win something beautiful from Blue Nile!!
I would get the Swiss Blue Topaz Bracelet in Sterling Silver for my mom, it is her birthstone.
I’d love to get the Freshwater Cultured Pearl Twisted Pendant in 14k Rose Gold. It’s GORGEOUS!
I’d get the Bead Bracelet in Sterling Silver (8mm).
Is have been wanting an eternity ring for a long time and Blue Nile has just the one I want.
Love the Circlet Drop Earrings. My mom was a lover of all things sterling, and I have inherited that passion. I would wear them with wonderful memories of her.
the infinity necklace is lovely! perfect for an everyday necklace to keep you close to your loved ones!
Beautiful necklaces! I guess Mother’s Day means something different to everyone. I celebrate both my mother and my daughter {now that she is a mother, too} on Mother’s Day.
Love the Fresh Water Pearl and White Topaz in Sterling earrings!
Something for my Mom – “Mom” Pendant in Sterling Silver with 14k Yellow Gold Heart Accent.
Thank You for the opportunity 🙂
God Bless You 🙂
just followed blue nile on pinterest. had to say when the feather necklace popped up I gasped. while my mom was dying I kept finding feathers….ive been looking for a feather necklace and this is the one for me.
last comment….the two ladies who shared what mothers day means to them are so brave. their stories are from the heart and must have been difficult to write. thanks to them for allowing us to see the hardships and joy that they have been through.
I would give the Infinity Love Knot pendant to my sweet friend who is terminally ill just to remind her how her and her husband’s families are linked together.
I think I would choose something special to wear for my son’s 2014 wedding!
Love the pearl and white topaz jewelry!
I lost my eighteen year old three years ago, but I experience him working in my life on a daily basis.
My relationship with him has not ended, only changed in a new way! I am blessed with my older son, who
is a great kid…. God is good!
Ann
I love this posting! My own mother made so many sacrifices to ensure I became a strong woman…I’m so proud to be a mother to two beautiful children. We are so blessed!
Find something aquamarine for my mother…her birthstone! Probably the solitaire aquamarine pendant….gorgeous!
I would buy the Infinity Chain Necklace in Sterling Silver Necklace for my daughter for her graduation on 6/2/14
My Mother passed away a year ago and I have a heavy heart as Mother’s Day approaches. I have 4 children of my own, and next month my eldest daughter will be getting married! My Mother so wanted to try to hang on to see that day, but ovarian cancer took her before she was ready. In her final days, she wrote a letter for my daughter, which she asked me to give her on her wedding day, which makes my eyes sting with tears as I type this. As well, my Mother asked that a small heart be cut from her own wedding gown, and be stitched into the bodice of my daughter’s gown, over her heart, so that she will be physically present in a small way on this special day.
That is what a Mother’s love is – far reaching, unselfish, loving, beyond time and space.
I love the Infinity love knot. So pretty. Thank you for the chance!
What a great post and beautiful stories! I love the arrow necklace and the “knot” cuff bracelet. (I think I would have to splurge and get both.) 😉
I loved this post. As my Mom’s dementia progresses and she drifts further away, I find that my gratitude for good memories increases all the time. Memories of good times and lots of love. Thank you for this giveaway! So generous. Happy Mother’s Day to you both!
I love the Aquamarine and Micropavé Diamond Pendant.
oh, i’d love to win – definitely would have to choose a pair of pearl earrings – I’ve been wanting a pair for years! thank you fo rhte opportunity! xoxo
I would get the Interlaced Love Knot Earrings in Sterling Silver.
I love the Freshwater Cultured Pearl Garland Bracelet with 14k White Gold
I would get some circle earrings to go with that beautiful circle necklace you showed us in this post.
I’d buy something sparkly. 🙂 Thank you for the chance. Beautiful post.
Can’t imagine anything prettier & more meaningful than the Silver Infinity Necklace shown above…past, present, & future.
I love some of the pearls!!!
I think I might pick the Intertwined Hearts Bracelet in Sterling Silver !!!!!! ??????
I would use it toward getting something for myself, my lovely daughter and my daughter in law. The three of us are strong, loving women and we support each other no matter what one is going through. We are one in this family!
I can relate to Chenoa. I lost my mother to cervical cancer in October 2013 (she had it in 2012, but it came back less than a year after finishing her first round of treatments, and it metastasized in her lungs), her last day was a month after I turned 27 and I was 3 months pregnant with my first child. Holidays after that didn’t feel the same… but through support from my family and my fiancé’s family, I feel like I was able to heal smoother than I thought. I gave birth to my daughter April 18, so this will be my first Mother’s Day as a mom rather than a daughter celebrating her mother with dinner and gifts… but I still celebrate her in memory. I’ve grown close to my fiancé’s mother and stepmother throughout the last few years (even moreso after my loss), I think if I won a $100 store credit, I would use it toward buying them each a gift.
I would select the heart toggle sterling bracelet.
I would love the Infinity Love Knot necklace. I lost my mom 5 years ago and my mother in law passed away last year. I miss them both.
the infinity necklace
I would buy the Lemon Quartz Slice Necklace: https://www.bluenile.com/lemon-quartz-slice-necklace-sterling-silver_41761
Arrow necklace in rose gold vermeil.
For Mother’s Day my 93 yr. old mother will still be in the nursing home she has been in since she broke her hip November 2012. It very hard watching her wasting away. A perfect gift would be for her to “go home” and be with The Lord. I am grateful for her sweet Christian ministry as a pastor’s wife. She and my Dad have been married for 73 years. He is still right by her side in the same nursing home room.
I really like the stainless steel cuff links
I would get the branch in sterling silver
I would get the Classic Akoya Cultured Pearl Bracelet in 18k White Gold (6.5-7.0mm). So pretty!
I would get the Blue Topaz Cabochon Necklace in Sterling Silver. It’s very pretty and the perfect size.
I love the Baroque Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace in Sterling Silver. I would definitely get that!
I do love the infinity love knot!
I would get the Branch Necklace in Sterling Silver
I would get my mom the Open Heart Pendant in 14k Rose Gold
I would get the Small Hoop Earrings in 14k White Gold (5/8″)
There is a pair of pearl and topaz drop earrings that are great!
I would get the Love Knot necklace and the Infinity chain bracelet in sterling! Thanks for the giveaway!!
I love the London Blue Topaz Milgrim Earrings!!
I like the Swiss Blue Topaz Cushion Pendant in Sterling Silver.
I like topaz earrings