The Magic Around Us
My Mom was an amazing card writer. Every card- no matter what it was - a thank you card, a birthday card, a letter she sent me at camp, she filled them with her words of love and wisdom. Thankfully, I saved most of them and now treasure being able to read them almost feeling like she is speaking to me again. I find myself reading them in all the times you'd expect - so that means often in the month of May. I found them sitting out in my office on Friday and read one. As tears rolled down my face I realized that I was starting to forget how it felt to be loved by her. But with each card I read I felt her and was reminded of us, of not just our love for each other but of the strength and support and friendship we found in each other. I became overwhelmed with gratitude for her, for the lessons she left for me and for her deep love I will always know.
My Mom had the ability to make the ordinary feel extraordinary. She believed in magic and joy and taught us how to both find it and create it. She loved to laugh - like really laugh -the kind where you are laughing so hard you can't breathe. And as I found in a journal after she died, as a mother she promised to always remember what it was like to be a child before she acted. While it will never make sense to me why she was taken from me so soon I would be lost without her and the lessons she instilled in me as I navigate adulthood, motherhood and now even a pandemic.
Tomorrow, Monday, May 17th will be my Mom’s fifth Birthday since she died. It seems impossible and yet as we know time marches forward. This year in honor of her Birthday we did a sock fundraiser to support research in mast cell diseases and I am beyond grateful for all those who chose to partake. The first year after she died, when I started the " birthday sock party" I had always envisioned somehow using socks as a vehicle to raise funds for research. Making this a reality has meant so much to me and I know my Mom is smiling
So I invite you to join in the sock party in celebration of my Mother on her Birthday, May 17th. Please wear your new socks or other silly socks and if you would like I would love to see photos of your happy feet. This year I know many in the rare disease community will also be joining in. This is the magical power of socks, connecting us all and knowing we are all around the world wearing fun socks together. I hope it reminds you that you are not alone and that together we are ensuring a healthier future for those battling rare diseases. And knowing all are celebrating with me is truly a gift.
In one of the letters I read this week, my Mom referenced cous cous eyeballs and zucchini teeth. Immediately my mind moved to my childhood dinner table. She would sneeze out her "cous cous" eyeballs and smile at us with zucchini covering her teeth seeing if we'd notice or more importantly if my Dad would. Inevitably this would incite much more food play and hilarity that my brother, Mom and I would squeal in delight over. These are the ordinary moments that have shaped my ability to face all of what is thrown at me and also exemplify my Mother’s incredible spirit.
So tomorrow I challenge us all to wear silly socks, throw our food and take time to laugh. I can promise you, even for just that moment, you’ll find the magic around you.
Editor’s Note: A collage of sock photos will be shared for those who send in pictures of your feet! To share please email photos to ararenormal@gmail.com and feel free to post your photos on social media with hashtag #mastcellsocksformimi.
