May Flowers and Mother’s Day


May always brings with it thoughts of lilacs and memories of my childhood.  Growing up, the lane to our house was lined with lilac bushes, and I absolutely loved stopping on my way home from school/grandma’s/my friends/riding my bike, etc., and taking in the wonderful aroma of them.  Many a bouquet of freshly picked lilacs were taken to my Mom.  This is why, in my mind, lilacs and Mother’s Day go hand-in-hand.  And, as a mom, I have also been on the receiving end of many such bouquets.  It brings me immense joy!  My kids knew just how to touch my heart. I now have some beautiful lilac trees next to my house, and you know there will be some hand-picked bouquets on my table soon!
So, with that – Mother’s Day.  I have two of the most absolutely amazing adult children.  Both are extremely musically gifted – thanks to their Dad’s side of the family!  LOL. My daughter, Tawnie, has the singing voice of an angel, just like her Nanny (maternal grandmother).  She had wanted to pursue a singing career, but life happened.  Now, I’m not complaining about my wonderful gift of grandchildren – they fill my heart with so much love and joy!  But, my hope for my talented daughter is that she will realize it’s never too late to go after your dream.  If she’s called, she should go for it! She's done amazing things, reached other goals, and become such an strong woman, I couldn't be more proud of her.
My equally talented son, Ethan, took a different life path and moved to Seattle nine years ago to pursue his love of creating music.  He first thought perhaps he wanted to make it as a music producer, so he got an audio engineering degree, which has kept him immersed ‘in the business’.  Along the way, he worked with some guys at a music store and they decided to form a band.  They’ve been doing the local music scene in Seattle for several years and slowly making a name for themselves.  They call themselves The Famished (which I think is a kick-butt band name, especially for a punk rock/metal band).  Check them out on Facebook.  I’ve made the journey to Seattle to listen to them. I am totally impressed!
Lately, things have started to pick up for The Famished.  They have written most all of the songs that they have performed over the years, and they finally recorded a CD (album? I’m old school!). Ethan did the engineering on it, and well – fast forward to a couple of weeks ago.  He informed me that his new roommate works at a local radio station and he put that new new CD in the hands of a DJ who has a program on Sundays featuring local bands and musicians.  The DJ liked what he heard and invited The Famished to be on his show “Loud and Local” on Mother’s Day.  I’m quite proud of how hard my son and his band have worked to become recognized in a city known for producing a lot of musical talent.  It rarely happens overnight, that type of success. But it happens, especially with hard work. The picture to the left is of them in the studio!  (That’s my handsome son in the foreground looking overjoyed!)
Last week, I listened to the podcast of their show after it was available online. (You can go and have a listen.)  I cannot express all the feelings that bubbled up for me as I listened to my son on the radio -- in Seattle, with his band!  Proud doesn’t even come close.  Then, at the end – a shout out from him to his mom on Mother’s Day (he included his sister and girlfriend, as well he should – but I was first!).  My heart and tear ducts overflowed.
What struck me was this:  When our kids are doing what they love, the thing that brings them joy, whether or not it’s our favorite thing – we are proud and happy because our kids have found a passion.  Pure and simple. I gushed all over Facebook (with his permission), and that continues here (again, with permission – from both kids!). So, keep punk-rockin’ it, my son! I am proud of you!
And Tawnie, I am proud of what a wonderful mother you are and the strength you show every day.  This mother’s heart is full.

Happy May and Mother’s Day!


www.RobinPine.com


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