Fading Traditions

When I was young I remember my mother always wearing a pink or red corsage on Mother’s Day.  She told me the tradition was to wear a colored flower if you mother was living and that the white flowers worn were in memory of a mother who had passed.   I remember watching closely at church to see how many women and men had lost their mothers.  I also remember the year my mother changed her corsage to white.

So, this year Mike told me he wanted to wear a white rose in memory of our mother so Ron got two white boutonnieres for he and Mike and a white corsage for me.  When we got to church it was immediately obvious that this tradition was no longer being practiced, at least not at our church.  We looked like prom dates!  But, Mike proudly told everyone he met that he was wearing a white rose in memory of his “saintly” mother.  I could almost hear my mother chuckle at that one.

Appropriately, it was children's Sunday and the children presented the entire service.  It was precious.  They even did a lively cheer for "moms" and for all they do.  There is no sweeter song than "Jesus Loves Me" sung by young and old.

After church we took Mike to lunch.  Ron and I both noticed a tremor in his hands that we hadn't seen before.  I have to make a note to tell his psychiatrist as this can be a sign of Tardive Dyskinesia.    When a patient has been taking certain prescription drugs over a long period of time, often in high dosages, involuntary, repetitive tic-like movements can result, primarily in the facial muscles or (less commonly) the limbs, fingers and toes. This is especially true in psychotropic drugs like Thorazine so we are always keeping a watchful eye to see if Mike is being affected.

I got to spend a little time with the two young women responsible for making me a mother.  Jamie and I went shopping and to lunch on Saturday and Julie came by yesterday with flowers.  All in all it was a wonderful Mother's Day weekend.  I hope it was for all of you as well!