Mother's Day Weekend

A stunning San Diego Mother's Day weekend. Especially the weather since we're in the midst of "May Gray", the yearly San Diego phenomenon that includes maritime fog and overcast skies for the month of May and June ("June Gloom"). Who says San Diego doesn't have seasons? It is not always 70 and sunny you know. :-)

On Friday night Achilles walked ALL THE WAY TO THE DOG PARK....AND BACK HOME!!!... for the FIRST time in over a month. It is about 10 city blocks there and 10 city blocks back home. WOW. I cannot explain how amazing that was for us. I was so proud of my little senior citizen puppy. We didn't make him walk. We just let him lead. Usually he'll turn around when he gets tired, but he just kept on truckin'. Soooo cute to watch the wiggle-waggle of his old man hips.

Breeze blowing through his fur.
Ed shot a sideways video. Achilles on his way to More Mommy's while mama & papa went to their pre-Cana thinga-majig.

Showing off his strutting skills.

(Milo attacks mama)......"Uhhh, Mumma, that's enough, mmm-kay? That's enough of those videos and pics....look at ME....love ME....aren't I the handsomest Mumma? Here, let me just jump all over you and lick your face. You just stay still, mmm-kay?"


I recovered from the "Milo Mauling" in time for Part 2 of 3 of our pre-Cana requirements. This time we didn't have to spend the weekend in a convent. Nope. Just a dark, damp auditorium in historical St. Joseph's church. Beautiful church....

Dark, damp auditorium within...

It was hard to concentrate on the lecture concerning "God's desire for us to have sex" when the gorgeous world outside was beckoning to me. I nodded off a couple of times. Ed would "lovingly"elbow me awake.

There were a few times my ears perked up and I snapped to attention rather than staring blankly out the window....like when I heard the words "homosexuality", "ejaculation", "bestiality", "orgasm", "lust", and "naked". OHMIGOD. Can I tell you how weird and uncomfortable it was to hear those words in CHURCH?! Jeezaloo. I allowed myself the pleasure of a cackle and a few giggles. I guess you had to be there. Or not.

Oh, and the high-maintenance Diva Bridezilla who sat in front of us had on the LOUDEST, GAUDIEST, and TACKIEST pair of wooden Versace stilettos. She sounded like a horse clip-clopping about the auditorium. I was trying to get a picture of her but I'm sure the bizarre couple to my left would have told on me. They were soooo weird. He'd put his head in her lap and she'd pick at his scalp like the chimps do on the Discovery Channel. What, did he have lice? Then he would pet her. Literally. Like a puppy. Like I said, WEIRD.

Oh, and I'm not sure if the guy knew how to shave. At the engaged encounter weekend, he had a giant beard. But, he'd shaved it by this weekend, except that here and there on his face was aa long whisker or two (or nine) mixed in with his shadowy beard. Again, I was very tempted to take a picture. Luckily for the sake of our marriage I restrained myself. We do need the dispensation after all.

The lecture concerning marital loyalty, fidelity, and adultery had some of the couples squirming. It was interesting to watch. I observed a few "Mmm-hmm" glances being thrown at soon-to-be-grooms by future brides. Question: Why would they marry that person after they've already been unfaithful? Is it possible that she believes that he will change that much after marriage? Mmm, I think not. Oh well.

On our lunch break, Belov-Ed and I walked to Little Italy where he treated me to some Cefalu's delicious brick oven fare. Soooo good!

Sidewalk dining.

Dog watching...here's Charlie, a Bostonian, staring down a mutt of some sort in Dogland's version of fencing. On guard!
Belov-Ed's hands. Strong. Large. Tender. Rough. Capable. Loving.
A hot pink hibiscus tree.
Jacarandas in blazing bloom all over town. My favorite tree in San Diego, bar none.
All ablaze in their purple passion.
Then, it was time to return to the church's dark auditorium, and to this....
Snacking endlessly while listening to the "GOD LOVES YOU NAKED!!!!" lecture.... ...and passing the time by creating fine plate art. Behold my masterpiece.
**Sigh** The things I'm forced to endure for love. :-)

After that was over, I drove up to be with my own Mommy and my Bobo. We spent a beautiful Mother's Day together. Even though she hasn't (and probably won't for a looong time) come around about my upcoming marriage, my mom and I had a good day together. I think the fact that we went shopping created a pleasant distraction so that we could simply enjoy each other's company.

The three of us shopped for new cookware. My mom's cookware has completely fallen apart after years of abuse. We had lunch at a Ruby's Diner, my first time there, and it was very, very good. I highly recommend it.

We found a great copper core cookware set at Costco finally, and I also got Mommy an Italian leather purse. Bobo picked out a tiny little saucepan that she fell in love with. She HAD to have it and declared that it was hers and NO ONE was to use it but her.

I had a bittersweet, poignant moment with Bobo today. It was the first time I have helped her into her wheelchair and pushed her around with us. She's been wheelchair bound for a few months now, but until today it's been Mommy who has had that experience. As I strolled her around the mall, I couldn't help crying. I couldn't make the tears stop and I was glad she couldn't see my face. My throat kept swelling painfully.

Bobo is 93 years old now. She used to push me in my stroller when I was a baby. I've seen the pictures. She was young and beautiful back then, with long, lustrous black hair and winged eyebrows. My baby sister is actually her spitting image. My earliest memories are from age 3, and one of those memories is of Bobo telling me to give up the stroller so that my second sister, K, could be placed in it. I had to walk alongside holding Bobo's skirt.

Now, it has come full circle. Her aging, frail body has betrayed her, and she has to wait for someone to help take her out for a stroll. It is sealed forever in my heart's memory that on this Mother's Day that someone was me, and we strolled the mall together on this beautiful spring day.Bobo asked me to stop often so she could gaze upon the giant dahlias. She loves the pink ones. I shared a latte with her while sitting by this pretty one. I need to remember to get her some for the garden next year.
I'm back home now with all of my boys. It was a good weekend. Other than a couple of derogatory words and some sidelong glances (the public is not always kind to veil-wearing, Middle Eastern woman in post 9/11 America, but I don't want to stress myself out by writing about that right now), it was a beautifully memorable day for us. I'm happy. I pray that my cherished friends and their mothers all had a good weekend also.

For some of my Blogistani friends, I know this day was a challenge. Karen, we talked about your beloved Katie today. My Bobo said a wonderful Muslim prayer for her, one that's reserved for the passing of a child.

Bobo and I talked about how every mother has to cope with this tremendous loss in her own unique way. We spoke to my Aunt E in Sydney today, as we do every Mother's Day, and we all knew what she was feeling. She'll never have a day without thoughts of her lost son, but it is days like this that make those thoughts unbearable.

I have many relatives and friends for whom this day is a bittersweet time. You were all in my thoughts and prayers today. I also know many for whom this day was wonderous and sweet, and I'm glad you all had a good Mother's Day.