The Sunday before the official Mother’s Day has now been deemed as Motherless Mothers Day. This day allows those to join together in their loss while honouring their absent mother. Mother’s Day is a special day for many, but for those who have lost their mothers, it can be a difficult reminder of the absence, especially for the first couple years. The following suggestions are possible ways to spend the day that continues and honours your maternal relationship.

Honouring Your Mother
On Motherless Mother’s Day, it can be helpful to find ways to honour your mother’s memory in a meaningful way. Whatever activity you choose, make sure it feels like an appropriate tribute to your mother and helps bring some peace into your heart.

• You could create a memorial table with photos and mementos. There are remembrance ornaments, lamps, or yard ornament to create a memorial.

• Write a letter expressing all the things you wish you could tell her now that she’s gone.

• Planting flowers, bushes or trees in your backyard is a constant reminder that love continues to grow.

• Spending time with your siblings and making a favourite dish or dessert may act as a meaningful and tasty tribute. Lighting a candle and sharing memories helps lighten your pain of her loss.

• Making a donation in her memory.

• Visiting her gravesite or final place of rest.

• Watching her favorite movie or TV show.

• Play her favorite card or board game.

• You could also take time out for self-care, such as going for a walk or treating yourself to something special.
  

  Finding Gratitude
  It may seem impossible at times, but try to find moments of gratitude even in the midst of grief. Acknowledge all that your mother did for you throughout her life and recognize how much she has shaped who you are today. This doesn’t mean that you have to forget about the pain; instead, try to find ways to honour both the joy and sorrow that comes with remembering her life.

 Yours in living and loss,

Brenda