Just sent off my mother's-in-law Mother's Day card with a quickly scribbled note that came straight from the heart:

Dearest Mom F,

My personal thanks to you, once again, for raising such a fine son, DH, who is self-sufficient, considerate, and an equal partner in life, thanks to you.

If grades were given out for motherhood, you'd get an A+ !  You are a 5-Star Mom.

I hope this special day is filled with happy thoughts, fond memories, and celebration with food and drink for you.  We will be with you in our hearts and thoughts.

My Father-in-Law, Mother-in-Law & Ipo,
2000

Seriously, Mom, please consider visiting us.  We just enjoyed the company of my sister Sandy, who was here to visit her son Mark, a student at UC, Irvine.  At the last minute, Bob, her husband, was unable to join her on this trip, and although we missed seeing and being with him, we're glad that she kept her travel plans to see her son, flying over by herself for three days.  

We spent all of Sunday with her and enjoyed her to the MAX, just as we would you if you came out for a visit.  We fully understand why Dad is reluctant to leave Ipo (what a loved dog he is!) all by his lonesome at the kennel or at relatives' homes.  We feel the same about Freddy B and O these days, and that is why we're not planning another trip home until 2003 for the family reunion on my mom's side on Maui.  

Besides being your turn to visit us, you still haven't met Ipo's adopted dog-niece and dog-nephew and your newest dog grand-kids, Freddy B and O.  :-)

I hope you'll consider a quick trip to visit us -- not too long that Dad would miss you too much -- and better than no visit at all.  I KNOW DH would love to spend quality time with his Mom -- YOU -- and so would I.  We have accumulated enough air miles for a ticket for you.

Just as it was possible for your sons to arrange yours and Dad's anniversary trip to the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, thanks to Kim's ingenius idea of renting a limousine to take you and Dad to and from Kona and DH's dog-sitting pre-arrangements with Aunty Machan and Hitoshi, I think with some forethought and planning, i.e., dinners out for Dad with Kyle and Kim or Aunty Machan and Hitoshi, or frozen dinners, paper plates, and clean clothes, it is DO-able.

Knowing what a close relationship Dad had with his mother, Grandma F, I think he would fully understand the desire for mother and son to spend time together.  We ALL know how attached he is to little Ipo, and so do you, so don't feel guilty about being apart for a few days.

I did it for my Dad when I went to Japan with him without DH and although I missed DH (and Happy and Laki) terribly, I knew that the opportunity to REALLY be together as we were would likely not present itself again.  

Although it was the first time that DH and I were apart for so long -- one week -- but it was worth every second of my father's and my time together.

"To you who comforted with a mother's hand,
I thank you.
To you who encouraged with a mother's praise,
I applaud you.
To you who love with a mother's heart,
I honor you -- 
not just on Mother's Day...always."

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