A Jealous Grandmother for Mother's Day

My mother has given me a hard time most of my life because of when I was born. Originally, I was due in late June 1974. Apparently, I had other plans because I was born on May 19, just a few days after Mother's Day that particular year.

Most people would consider a woman who is 8 months pregnant on Mother's Day to be a "mother". However, my mom doesn't see it this way. Because I was born after Mother's Day, my father will always have one more Father's Day than she has Mother's Days. Now, in fairness, my mom doesn't dwell on this. I just happen to be such a stellar daughter that she can't find anything else to complain about!

On Labor Day of 2005, my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child and according to the calendars, doctors, and ultrasounds, my daughter would make her appearance around May 8^th. When my mom found out that I would be having my baby around Mother's Day, she became chartreuse with envy and really wanted the baby to be late.

For a week or so, it looked as if my mother would get her wish as the days after May 8^th went by, one after the other. My doctor decided, in her infinite wisdom, that we would induce the baby on Friday, May 12^th so that she would be available for the birth and that I would have a happy Mother's Day. It turned out my daughter was a bit stubborn and waited until early on May 13^th to arrive, but arrive she did, in a large and painful fashion. I was rushed to surgery after she was born to repair some damage but by the afternoon I was spending quality time with my husband and daughter.

More than anything, I wanted my mother to there for me for the first few days with my baby. So my mom and dad gave me the best and happiest Mother's Day. Coming all the way down to Georgia from Wisconsin to be with us on Mother's Day (the day after my daughter was born), the first thing my mom said to me as she was holding my precious baby girl was "I still haven't forgiven you for arriving early and giving Daddy one more Father's Day than I have Mother's Days". I knew she was joking, the way that mothers and daughters can joke about things and know that even things like that are said in love.

What better Mother's Day gift than to watch your mother hold her granddaughter on that very special day.