9 heartfelt Mother's Day notes from readers of The Cool Aunt
"Every Day is Mother's Day.”
Hey!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, stepmoms, plant moms (me), etc., reading today’s post!
Before I dive in, a big THANK YOU to the first two paying subscribers of The Cool Aunt—Shelby and Eva! I turned on payments a while ago but haven’t promoted it yet—I’m still figuring out what I want to put behind the paywall.
Anyhoo, to celebrate the day, I asked fellow writers and readers of The Cool Aunt to share a short note to their moms (whether she’s here or not). I find all the notes very touching—each one gives you a peek into the writer’s relationship with their mom. I hope you enjoy them too, and if you feel like sharing a note to your mom, the comments are open—I’d love to read more notes like these today! ♡
1. from
Dear Mom.
"Every Day is Mother's Day.” You always said that, probably to take the spotlight off yourself or just to let us off the hook. You didn't want flowers or candy or, God forbid, a brunch reservation. But that one time I rolled the Chevy Malibu out of our moonlit driveway to steal daffodils from a neighbor’s garden--an underage crime in service of an admirable one—you liked those Mother’s Day flowers. I wish I could tell you so many things, but know that I think about you every day. So, of course, you were right. Every day IS Mother's Day. xoxo
2. from
Dearest Mom,
How's your journey been? Did you have a good reunion with Dad? I hope you remembered to celebrate his full birthday week with him, you know how important that was to him. Life's been pretty crap since you left. I guess you didn't intend to leave without saying goodbye, I hope it wasn't as hard on you as it's been on me. I know you've still got one foot in both worlds. Could you stick around here a bit longer? I'm still not ready to let you go.
Love,
Kaila
3. from
Dear Mom,
I think my teenager, one day, will learn to accept certain traits of mine — hopefully. But that journey is my teen’s journey, and it won’t happen right now when they are sixteen. Currently, I am a — how do you say it? — problem for them. Yet, I am giving everything, all the ways I can, every day. I wonder how many nights you felt like this when I was a teen. You doing your damn best, and me acting like it wasn’t enough. I don’t know, but I’m sorry for those nights. You were always enough. I love you.
4. from
Dear Mom,
When I first started taking writing seriously, I shared one of my short stories with you. I was in my early twenties. The story was written in a style I would call "Wannabe David Foster Wallace." No paragraph breaks. A lot of needlessly obscure vocabulary.
It wasn't good. And I'm sure you recognized that. But you praised the story anyway. Partly because you’re my mom. But also because I didn't need honest feedback. What I needed was practice. Your praise was the fuel that kept me going, even when agents and editors were rejecting my writing.
Ten years later, when my debut novel was published, I dedicated it to you.
And to Dad. Wouldn’t want to make him jealous. 😉
Happy Mother’s Day!
Lee
5. from
Hey, Ma! It’s me! I know, I know … hay is for horses. You’d get a kick out of your grandchildren calling me “Dude.” You left us too soon and missed out on all of the fun. I’m still mad about it. You were destined for a longer life.
Now that I’m older, I understand you better and wish you were here so I could tell you in person. I’m proud of you and proud that you are my mother. Your personality lives on in me and my children. Hats off to you, Mom, on this Mother’s Day!
Luv,
Shelby
6. from
Mom,
You cheered at every basketball game. You paid my tuition. You flew to my side when I broke my jaw, tore my knee, gave birth.
But when I told you about going to graduate school, you asked why. When I told you about moving to China, you asked why. When I planned to run a half marathon, learn to sail, write. Why, why, why. Whenever I step out of the Midwestern mother mold, your “why” tells me: I’m too weird, I’m too much—and also not enough. For decades, I have swum in the gulf between your physical and emotional support.
Recently, you sent me a book of essays about writing. It was beautiful. Is this the bloom of a new beginning? I hope so.
Lindsey
7. from
Ma,
You still resemble your pic in our old house. Yes. Even though you got rid of that fashionable 90s perm and puffy-sleeved outfit with its green shawl. I know you’ll say, “No way would I wear that colour.” Everyone says your story is inspiring. I nod. I know how long choosing yourself took after being used to prioritising everyone’s needs. I wish I could return what you lost in years, memories, and smiles. You’ve fulfilled your dream of teaching, travelled, made new friends, and discovered who you are. I bask in our new memories and silly jokes. My mama.
8. from
These days, I can't even call you Mum. Now, on our weekly Zoom calls and my yearly visits back home, you're Nikki. Not that you recognise that name either, anymore. You're in a place between names - a place between worlds. Oftentimes, I feel like I am, too, holding the memories of the mum you were and the Nikki you are. On bad days, it feels like it'll take a lifetime to reconcile the two - to clear the dementia-fuelled grief and remember you as you were. But even if it does, it'll be a lifetime well spent. I love you, Mum.
9. (It’s me!)
Dear Mother of Pearl,
Most of my fondest memories with you are simple. Eating artichokes together in the TV room, peeling off the leaves one by one, and dunking them in salted butter. Licking the batter from the brownie bowl because you left a little extra just for me. Playing Heart and Soul together on the piano, sitting side by side on the bench, our shoulders touching. Riding in the front seat of your black Lexus, listening to you sing along to Killing Me Softly With His Song by The Fugees. Whenever I hear that song, I think of you and your beautiful, soft voice.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Love,
Pearl
Author’s note: My mom used to call me Pearl, so whenever I give her a birthday or Mother’s Day card, I address her as “Mother of Pearl” and sign as “Pearl”, so I did the same here.
Huge thanks to everyone who shared their Mother’s Day notes with me and The Cool Aunt readers! Feel free to add yours in the comments of this post, I’d love to hear from you!
See you soon,
Alexis
P.S. If you liked what you just read and want to support me, please tap the heart and leave a comment below or share this post to help more people find it (and so I know what’s resonating). ❤️
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This is my second mother's day this year (the UK one is in March!) and tbh I was kind of dreading it, but this made my week and my day. It was so lovely reading everyone else’s notes, too. Such a beautiful idea, thanks for pulling it all together and inviting me to join! 💜💜💜
This was a really cool thing you did, Alexis. Happy mother's day, Cool Auntie. ❤️