The Not-So-Relaxing Reality of Mother’s Day

When someone asks me how my Mother's Day went, I imagine they're picturing a serene spa day, complete with mimosas and a back massage. Instead, here's the real rundown:

I woke up at 8 AM to the sound of Luna, my friend's daughter, stirring in the next room. I quickly popped in to say "Buenos días," hoping to buy her mom some extra sleep. Luna and I brewed a pot of coffee together, and then we were off to my Sunday morning gig: picking up a weekly donation.

After that, I returned home to tackle the household chores, and Luna went home with her mama. Picture this: a mountain of dishes that rivaled Everest and a laundry pile even higher. I swept, vacuumed, mopped, and scrubbed toilets like a domestic ninja. By 1 PM, my teenager finally emerged from his cave. I hit him with some serious nagging until he did his chores, then sent him across the street with a Mother’s Day gift for our neighbor. Next, I wrote Mother’s Day cards to women who have been kind to a mom I’ve been helping and delivered those cards and gifts. I also made flowers for my son's grandmother.

After a quick shower, I cooked dinner and packed it up for a picnic. I practically dragged my son out of the house to visit his grandmother (his dad’s mom) with a card and hug in tow. Then, we headed to a concert in the park, an event I look forward to all year. Despite the lovely setting, my son wanted to leave early. But hey, he did give me a handwritten note and a gift... although he signed off with "Happy Valentines?"

As the clock approached 11 PM, I still had a few hours of work left, conveniently timed with the laundry that needed drying. Amid all these tasks, I cried—a lot. Frustration, grief, and the overwhelming feeling of failure as a mom hit me hard. I missed Nan terribly; she used to write the best Mother's Day cards, filled with heartfelt words that now feel irreplaceable. I even found myself cursing the old me for tossing some of those cherished cards. And let's not forget the gross-out moment of the day: cleaning up old cereal and milk my son had abandoned, which made me vomit repeatedly. Motherhood—the ultimate adventure in multitasking and stomach-churning surprises.

So, when people ask if I had a relaxing Mother’s Day, I’ll smile and say, "Oh, you know, just the usual mom stuff!" Because being a single mom means early mornings, nonstop work, helping others, and if you're lucky, a few golden moments that make it all worthwhile.