As Mother’s Day arrived this year, I was unusually well prepared. Bearing gifts of books, coffee and an intricate lithograph of Bay Ridge, the day posed no stress and no last minute running for presents. I even mailed all my cards a week in advance. I’m known for last minute, but this time I was ready. Awaking at a leisurely 8am, I had only to shower, walk dogs, and be ready for manicure with mom by 11. Cake!

Or so I thought before I entered the living room and sighed deeply. My puppy had peed in his crate, and my other one was lying on the couch, ensconced deeply in the hole made by puppy a few days ago. After walking the boys, throwing in a load of laundry, dusting, Swiffering, and vacuuming up all the hair, food and rawhide crumbs, I was ready for nothing but a nap. Yawn!

Glancing at the clock, my eyes widened as I realized not only was mom late, I had fifteen minutes to shower, slam a quick coffee, move two cars and make it to the aforementioned manicure…not likely. After five minutes in shower with coffee resting on ledge of tub, hair brushing, tooth brushing, removing my other shoe from puppy’s mouth, mom arrived and we hopped in car to salon. Relaxation time!

But when we got there…everyone else was already there. By everyone I mean every mom in our town and then some. Although we had an appointment there was still a half hour wait and we were expected at a brunch at 1pm. Hmm… plan B: another nail place off the beaten path.

Surprisingly we did find accommodations, and were in and out by 12:35, polished and massaged. Not too shabby for a feminine holiday where primping is in high demand. As we arrived at the restaurant, we were there before our brunching counterparts, and enjoyed a cup of java together. Perusing the menu in a laid back manner, both mom’s and my fingers sparkled a-pretty and our shoulders rested at a respectable distance from our ears. The day was looking up as I stifled a yawn, refilled my mug and ordered an O.J.

When we are all seated and eating, I noted that our table was the only one without small children. At that moment, I scanned the room and had a small inkling that maybe…just maybe there were others who noticed the same thing. But I may have been wrong. Anyway, we were there to eat; and that’s what we did. A delicious meal indeed.

After a lovely brunch and scenic drive home, we all settled in to watch the Yankees lose and snuggle with the doggies. More coffee and a tea later, the parental units receded and my doggie sons get a long walk in the park. Moral of the story? None really… except that I had a brilliant day with my mom despite early chaos and lack of kids at my table. To each our own.

What I realized today is that everyone has their own way of celebrating their lives. Moms are undoubtedly the cornerstone of most people’s springtime. In May I celebrate a few familial birthdays in addition to Mother’s Day, but I also end the month with the anniversary of my dad’s passing, followed a week later by the anniversary of an untimely death of my first love. Lesson for today: Whatever gets me through this month will do just fine.

As I scrolled through my new iPhone today, checking email, texts, Linked In and Good-Reads posts, I fired off messages to all the moms in my life. So many of my friends spent the day with mini-they at their tables, and I wanted to send love to them all. At the same time, I pondered when my own mini-me would be sitting beside me and decided a few things: I look forward to diapers and not having to wipe up pee first thing in the morning…from the floor. I look forward to little shoes and sun hats in miniscule polka dot patterns strewn about the house. Projectile vomit, extensive crying and diarrhea episodes aside, a little one would be wonderful—especially on Mother’s Day. And so would the presents.

Till then however, I realize the value of just hanging with my mom. Today was a good one. For all that we’ve been through; and that would be to hell and back individually and together,  my mom is still sticking around, supporting my work, my decisions and my moods. That’s simply me saying she’s fabulous because I know I wouldn’t put up with my crazy ass for thirty five years. But she did, and I love her for it.

So as I tuck in my four legged kids and head to bed in the double digits for once, I’m smiling about today. Moms are special in so many ways, and as much we might take them for granted, they always seem to be there when we need them. To end this Mother’s Day, with Nook in hand, under my covers, I’ll be sending an email that simply says: “Thanks Mom. Big time thanks for it all.”