Hey Friend,
Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and I hope you all had lots of fun with family and friends. Honestly, I am not as big on holidays as I was in my younger days. It feels like life turns into one long loop of holidays, birthdays, cookouts, and celebrations every single month.
And if you have a large family, like I do, the you already know there is always something going on around here every other week. lol:) We stay celebrating something!
But, these days, a day of relaxing has become one of my greatest joys. No seriously. I love getting a chance to sit down, breathe, slow my mind down, and not feel rushed trying to make everybody else happy. That kind of peace means more to me now than fancy plans or crowded places.
Every year, my family asks me what I want to do for Mother’s Day, and the funny thing is I always start by telling them what I do not want to do first.
Over the years, I have really grown out of going out to packed restaurants on holidays. My family loves to eat, so naturally, their first thought is always booking a table somewhere, but the crowds, the noise, the long waits, rushed customer service, and overstimulation just wear me out now. My anxiety cannot handle all that energy anymore, especially on a day that is supposed to feel peaceful.
So instead of dressing up and rushing out of the house, I stayed home, slow-burning a big ol’ pot of gumbo with sweet butter, honey cornbread on the side. Honestly, that felt better than any restaurant reservation could have. There is something comforting about cooking at home while music plays softly in the background and everybody slowly gathers around the kitchen looking for something to snack on before dinner is even ready.
I also told Rico no movie dates this year either. Back in the day we used to go to the movies almost every holiday, but lately I have not been in the mood for crowds. That is the same reason I still have not gone to see the Michael Jackson movie yet. My daughters went opening night and said the theater was packed wall to wall with people dancing in the aisles and singing every song. I already know myself well enough to know that would have been too much stimulation for me all at once. But trust me, I am still a die-hard Michael Jackson fan, so I definitely plan on seeing it once things calm down a little.
Honestly, though, the best part of the day was simply being home with family. Originally, we were supposed to travel back home this weekend, but because of my Rico’s work schedule, we ended up staying put. But, after making a few phone calls later that evening and talking to loved ones, I realized that was enough for me. Sometimes hearing familiar voices and checking in with the people you love can fill your heart in ways money and big plans cannot.
What made this Mother’s Day feel even more special was spending it with my daughter, who is now a new mom herself. Watching your children grow into new stages of life will always do something emotional to you. Time really moves whether we are ready for it or not. My baby is now having her own babies.
Now back to me hehe, my family did make sure to surprise me with a few things from my wish list. Of course, there was cash, because they know me well. But they also all pitched in together and ordered me a full-length green mirror with a matching chair and pillow for my space. Right now everything is just sitting in the corner waiting for me to pull the room together, but I already know once I decorate it is going to fit right at home in my space. I will be showing that in a much later post when I finally decorate.
I did bake a strawberry cake with white icing topped with strawberries and fresh cut flowers. Ha! Don’t play with my baking skills. Girl, naw it was just boxed strawberry cake mix from a box. But, that’s ok it was good anyways. :)
After opening gifts and eating lots of gumbo and cornbread and cake, we all sat down together and watched The Wiz starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
Now, let me say this because I never realized how differently I would view this movie as an adult.
As a child, parts of The Wiz honestly scared me. And, I know that probably sounds strange because the movie is considered such a nostalgic Black classic, but something about it always felt unsettling to me when I was younger. Maybe it was the dark scenes, the strange characters, or just the feeling of being pulled into a world that felt unfamiliar and overwhelming. Just my point of view.
But watching it now as a grown woman sitting beside my family, I finally saw something completely different beneath all the glitter, music, dancing, and fantasy.
The movie is really about fear, confidence, identity, and learning how to become yourself.
Watching Dorothy move through that strange world felt different to me this time around because now I understand what it feels like to spend years trying to stay safe, trying to stay comfortable, and trying not to step too far outside of fear. Then suddenly life pushes you into unfamiliar places anyway, and along the journey, you slowly realize everybody around you is struggling with something deeply human, too.
The Scarecrow believes he is not smart enough, and the Tin Man feels emotionally disconnected. The Lion hides fear behind confidence, and The Wizzard pretends to have all the answers while secretly feeling lost himself.
And honestly, when you think about it that sounds a lot like real life.
At least that is what I pulled from it while sitting there watching with my family.
What touched me most was realizing that none of them actually needed fixing. They already had the courage, heart, intelligence, and strength they were searching for all along. The real journey was learning how to finally see it within themselves. #miccheck
That message feels even deeper to me now at this age because the older I get, the more I realize life is less about becoming someone completely different and more about finally accepting who you already are.
Honestly, this ended up being one of my favorite kinds of days to have: good food, family, rest, old movies, meaningful conversations, and not doing too much.
Lastly, I ended the night by watching the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves with Rico. Just know within the first ten minutes I was knocked out sleep. :) lol no pun intended but this was my day. :)
These days, that kind of peace feels like a blessing all by itself.
So, with that being said, I hope you all had a chance to eat good, enjoy family, slow down a little, and make a few memories of your own. Leave me a comment and share your day with me. :)
xo Tangie Bell
Enjoying Life Beyond Existing!
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