Mother’s Day — A Promise of Remembrance

Of all the women in our lives, mothers certainly hold a position of supreme love and regard that often are set far above others we hold dear in life. Mothers are, frankly, our first very best friends and throughout life, others may come close but there’s a place that only they can hold dear in our hearts.

This Mother’s Day is special for Chelsea and I, naturally because we celebrate and honor the mother she is to our son Rowen. She is a superb mother, and it is a joy to watch the bond the two of them share every day when he is growing, learning, and flourishing. She creates a special world for all of us—she defines “family” to us. That’s just some of what moms do for us.

But this year, as we naturally think of our own mothers, we remember those who are not here, for the first time in fact. My mother, Lorene, lost her mother, Dolores, in November 2023 and so this is her first Mother’s Day without her, as it is for my uncles and their wives, all of whom adored her and shared in the caregiving of this special lady in the final years of her life.

Of course, Mom being the only daughter, they shared a special bond between them, and it made me so happy and proud to see that Rowen could be born into this world, knowing a second-generation family member and for her being able to hold him when he was born. I prize those multiple generation photos we take at different times in our lives, too. They last far beyond the years they were taken.

The more mature we become, the more occasions and gatherings and dates on the calendar mean to us. I remember the occasion of Rowen’s birth in one additional poignant way. That morning, we held the graveside service for my father’s mother, my grandmother Dian Jones, before we went to the hospital that afternoon so Rowen could be delivered that day. I like to think that Dian held him first.

We lost my mother’s mother, Dolores Bertrand, just last November and so this Mother’s Day is her first one without her mom. Chelsea and I are so grateful that we had as many years with Rowen’s great-grandmothers here as we had. Yes, we have many multigenerational photos for the scrapbooks but more importantly, Rowen knew there are many generations or “layers of love” that are all his to have, hold, and hug.

For many among us who have lost a parent, particularly a mother, whether recently or just last year, we recognize that there is a hole in our hearts that no one else can fill. We have room in our hearts to add many people there—one person is not needed to “replace” the loss of another. Rather, no one can take that certain loved one’s place. We just expand our circle of love to include everyone we can bring into our world who are there for us.

Our first love as children will always likely be a mother, but that woman may or may not have given birth to us. We can be so grateful for those who adopt children, for grandparents who step in to raise children when a parent falls ill or when their work responsibilities prevent them from being present at home all the time. We have aunts, great-aunts, and even dear neighbors who choose to be part of our worlds as we grow up, and we are all the richer for that.

As you reflect on the women in your life today, I join you in saluting the contributions of time, love, and care that they devoted to you and others you love. We are fortunate to have their love, for all our sakes. In these years long past childhood, I’m even more delighted that Rowen had even a small bit of precious time with his great-grandmothers and that his grandmother, my mom, Lorene, can be here with him as often as she is. After all the gifts that our mothers give us, besides the gift of life and love, is their time.

Hoping you enjoy time with your dear Mom or “just like a loving Mother” in your life.

Cody D. Jones ‘02

Owner & Community Member