Mother's Day At My House This Year-We Will Have Fun!!

Mother's Day was at my house this year. I haven't done that in years because there has always been tension and sibling rivalry between my two sisters and me. It seems that when you grow up the way we did, there are so many unresolved issues. I am forever amazed at the fact that we had any chance at all to grow up and have somewhat normal lives. I make that statement cautiously as I am not sure what normalcy is. However, every now and then I experiment to see if I can achieve it and spend some family time together as other people do. I am still looking for that which I missed out on as a little girl.

There comes a time in your life where you need to evaluate what is important and what isn't. I have always been the type to let bygones-be-bygones. Some would say that I look at life through rose-colored glasses. So what's wrong with that? I take chances and risk getting hurt again. But, you know what? I know one thing........I don't have regrets because at least I try. I put myself on the line and extend the olive branch for the sake of my peace of mind and peace of heart.

When I was living at home with my parents, Mother's Day was like any other holiday. Mom would cook lechon asado (roast pork) spanish rice and for dessert we had some arroz con dulce (rice pudding). This is a traditional Puerto Rican holiday meal. That was one of the few childhood memories I can remember. I can still smell the aroma of the roast pork cooking slowly in the oven. The wonderful smells would float through out the house including the sweet smell of cinnamon which she carefully sprinkled on the rice pudding before placing it in the refrigerator.

That is such a lovely memory and thought..........Screech!!! Put on the brakes; back to reality. In walks my father and suddenly we are thrown back into the world of chaos and turmoil which is our daily life. Nerves are rattled....fear sets in and the tension is thick. He's been to the neighborhood bar again and so much for peace and quiet. You know those commercials where they show the man yelling and pounding his fists with the veins in his head swelling and the children are cowering and hiding from him and..........well you know the rest!

Well, I broke from tradition this Mother's Day and prepared delicious ribs, corn on the cob and sweet plaintains. One of my sisters brought roasted chicken. Another brought Corona beer and my sister-in-law brought a wonderful southwestern dip. Mother made a wonderful potato salad at my request. My sisters and I played in the swimming pool with our nephews and niece and the weather was gorgeous. We even had apple pie and ice cream for dessert. There was laughing and joking and nothing but fun.

My dad is 87 now- old and frail and all he said when he arrived was "You know I don't like a lot of noise" as my two poodles barked at him when he shuffled his feet as he walked across the room. I looked at him and said "well then you are in the wrong place and the wrong house and with the wrong family"........as we plan to make lots of noise today. He just snickered as he found a comfortable seat out on the patio next to my husband. I was determined that it would be a wonderful and fun day and guess what.........it was!!!