Celebrating Through the Tough Times: Motherhood, Memories, and Being Connected Through Love

This year, Mother’s Day falls on the same day as my birthday. That happens every so many years, and it brings me great joy. I get to celebrate not only being born into this crazy world but also being a mother.

When I was younger, I kind of thought it was a jip for me because I had to spend the day celebrating my mom on my birthday. But when I became a mother, I thought, OK, now I get to celebrate two things at the same time. It was always an amazing celebration.

This year, I will be with only one child and will miss having our whole group together for this day. It’s usually a big day of celebrating with our families, aunts—whether they are biological or by choice.

Mother’s Day can be very hard for some people. We have to look at the day as a day of love—and forgiveness if we need to. That, in itself, is a great gift.

We are going through a very difficult time here in California. It’s hard to celebrate anything. However, I think celebrations are the only thing we should focus on. Some days it’s very hard to do that, but I believe we need to take those moments of joy that we can still find—and make them extra special.

I will be in Montana this year with my son Harry. I haven’t seen him in many months, and I’m very much looking forward to that. My daughter Kelly has moved to New York and is living a single-girl life there. I’m so happy for her, but of course, I miss her desperately.

Kelly is a great entertainer. When we’re having a party, we always have fun putting together beautiful cheese boards, flower arrangements, and table settings. It won’t be the same without her, but I know she sends love from Brooklyn.

I just want to take a moment to say how grateful I am for all the love that has come toward me this year. Whether it’s my birthday, Mother’s Day, or just my friends making sure I was OK through this whole crazy ordeal we’ve all been going through—I just feel loved.

My mother was a very special person in my life. I was so close to her and spoke to her almost every day. The fact of the matter is that if I didn’t call, she would call me and say,

"Is something terribly wrong? Is there some earthquake or something I didn’t hear about? Because that would be the only reason you wouldn’t call me today!"

I would laugh at that because, of course, she knew nothing like that had happened. But she would drive home the message that she wanted to talk to me every day. After her passing, I cherish those thoughts and those calls more than ever. So—call your mother!

I think being here in Southern California this spring is a time to look at the things we are able to celebrate: set a beautiful table, indulge your mother, and buy her thoughtful gifts. Celebrate yourself, your mother, your friends.

Celebrate your friends’ birthdays. Make an effort to go out—even if sometimes you don’t feel like it.

I wish you all a beautiful Mother’s Day and hope we can all be together soon, celebrating life’s special moments.