I picked up these beautiful roses at the store yesterday.
Flowers were everywhere in the store. Bundles, bouquets, plants, and packages for the garden.
Some were an immediate pass. Not the right colour, not the right flower. Then I went to the roses. Absolutely no reds, I usually get white but today I wanted pink. Not a bright pink, a sweet pink, light and airy.
Then I found them! The only bouquet that was the perfect colour, fresh and pretty.
I proudly added them to my cart and made my way to the cash.
The cashiers were ogling them, saying they are the nicest they had seen.
“Oh wow! These roses are beautiful, I’m jealous.”
“Avez-vous vu ces roses ? Elles sont magnifiques.”
“You are right to pick them up early, they go fast.” One cashier said to me.
“Are they for your mother?” she asked.
“Yes, they are. But at the cemetery. ” I answered.
Her smile left and was replaced with pity and concern.
Did I have to say it? No.
But I think the more we can talk about our losses, even briefly, the more we can normalize having deep emotions and grief.
I took her hand, looked her in the face and I wished her Happy Mother’s Day with a smile. Her smile came back. Then I went on my way. There were many celebratory days I could not have done that. In fact, in that moment, I wasn’t sure if my voice would crack, having a tinge of sadness in my throat.
It’s not how I want to give my mother roses. I want to bring them home to her with a card and a hug. This is all I can do now.
This weekend is Mother’s Day.
It’s also mental health awareness week. Taking care of your mental health is so important after loss.
It takes practice to live through celebrations without the ones you want to celebrate.
If you are dealing with loss this Mother’s Day, you are not alone.
Sending you love and peace.