Monday, March 17, 2014

A Surgery Shower

Have you ever heard of a surgery shower?  Well, now you have!  We had one for my Mom yesterday.  I thought she should have something fun to look forward to before having her operation on Wednesday.  And a gathering of all of her ladies, and neighbors, along with the ladies of the family, made for a perfect day.  I sent the invitations, and wrote, Please come shower my Mom with love and good wishes.  It was a beautiful, summer like day.  Gennifer and I arrived early to help get things set up, but my Mom had it all ready to go.  We  held it at her home, so that all of her neighbors could be there.  ( My daughter Erika was working out of town over the weekend, and had to miss it.  We missed her.)
Before the guests arrived, we were up in my Mom's room and got a little silly.  She has a big beautiful bathtub, and I walked in to find my niece laying in it, fully clothed.  I thought that was so funny.
The next thing I knew, my daughter and my Mom were in there with her!
When my sister in law Glenda arrived, I thought that she and Gennifer looked so pretty in their almost matching maxi dresses and jewelry.  I had to get a picture.  And let me just tell you, getting a photo of our Glenda is NOT easy!!!!
Gennifer and I.
I want to reach into that photo and pull my sweater up over my shoulder!!  Tsk, tsk.
My Mom and Gennifer.
The guests began to arrive.  My cousin Kelly flew in from Portland so she can be here for her surgery.  Her sister Keri will be here tomorrow, so she missed the shower.  We missed their little sister, my cousin Katie, who couldn't make the trip.  That is Kelly on the far right.  The girls are enjoying their Sangria, and iced tea.
Some of the first were my Mom's group of gals that she has been close with for years!  They go to dinner every Tuesday night, and they do all kinds of  fun things together.  These ladies are close!!!  And they are fun!!  As a gift, they brought a car load full of new flowers to plant for her, so she can see them every day.  Daisies were a must.  They call themselves The Daisies.  Because Kay's husband Ray, used to drive them all around to wherever they were going, dinner, the casino, the movies.  He used to say he was "Driving Miss Daisies"  Ray passed away a year ago, and now all of them are widowed.  They are wonderful support for each other, and wonderful friends!
Here are the beautiful flowers they brought.

They stacked them nice and pretty by her door.  And today they went back to her house, and planted them in her planter outside her dining room window.  She will be able to enjoy them every day.
Mom also love Gardenias, and there were several of those too.  I thought that was such a perfect gift!!!  Here is Mom, with all of her "Daisies."
Before we had lunch, I introduced my sisters in law, and myself, to the neighbors that did not know us, as they would be seeing a lot of us coming and going in the next few weeks.  While I was talking, Gennifer took some photos.  I loved this one of my Mom reaching up to hold my hand.
I don't know why, but when my Dad became ill, 10 years ago, when my Mom and I would be talking privately, I started to call her Mommy, like I did when I was a little girl.  We would email each other, every morning, and every night, and I always began the letters the same.  Dear Mommy......
Since that time, I find that whenever there is a rough patch, when I address her, it is Mommy.  I am almost 54 years old, and I will always need my Mommy.  How lucky am I?
So we raised our glass to my Mom.  We laughed, talked, and shared stories.  We all had a wonderful afternoon.  And most importantly, so did Mom!
She got lots of thoughtful gifts.  Several bouquets of beautiful flowers, and just as I had asked on each of the invitations, she was showered with love and good wishes.  It was a perfect party!
Here is a cute photo of my niece Deanna with her.
After the party, the rest of the family arrived.  We continued to eat, and visit, and then at dusk, took the most delightful boat ride on the lake.  It was a very hot day.  Like summer.  So this was the perfect ending to an already great day.  Unfortunately, I had left my camera in the house.
Thanks again, to all of you who are thinking of my Mom, as we navigate our way through the unknown, and approach her surgery date this Wednesday morning.  Your emails, texts, cards, phone calls and visits have all meant so much.  We are blessed beyond words.  In these past few weeks, since learning of Mom's diagnosis, we have spent a lot of time together, and the other day she stopped over, and I took this photo of she and Noah.  It warms my heart.
XO  Kris

30 comments:

Jeanna said...

Blessings galore...I don't even know where to start, so I won't. You are all such beautiful people and the love shines through, friends and family alike.

I'll be praying for you all, especially your Mom.

I think a surgery shower is a beautiful thing :)

Patty Antle said...

Beautiful post, Kris. What a loving family and friends you all have. I will be thinking of all of you on Wednesday and keeping you in my prayers.

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks so much for keeping in touch, Kris. The shower is a great creative expression of love in a challenging time! I too will be praying for blessing for your mom, you and yours. Many hugs

Diane said...

What a beautiful post.......what a beautiful day.......what a beautiful family.......
Thank you all for your kind thoughts and best wishes.
Diane.....AKA Kristy's Mommy

Debbie said...

Oh Kris this was such a wonderful thing to do and I am sure it meant just everything to your mom. There is just something about feeling the love and support of family and friends at a time like this that helps soo much. I am glad to know that the surgery is Wednesday so that I can be sure to lift her in prayer that morning in particular. Please be sure and let me know if there is anything more specific that you would like to be prayed about regarding the surgery or anything else, or if there is just anything at all I can do. HUGS to you!!

Teresa Kasner said...

Kris, your family is amazing and so full of love and fun. What a great way to fill your mom up with positivity and love which will carry her through the scary things over the next few days. Please let me know as soon as possible how the surgery goes. You are all in my thoughts and I am sending you big bouquets of love. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Betsy said...

Your family is such an inspiration. This was a wonderful idea! More people should do this as I'm sure the love and good wishes your Mom received at her shower will help carry her through whatever the future holds. You are indeed very blessed to have your Mom with you. My prayers are with you and will continue to be said as the surgery approaches.
Much love and many blessings my friend,
Betsy

Taci simmons said...

I'm so glad you got to spend such a great time with your mom... And the shower, what a a brilliant idea. Yes, you are so very lucky to have had your mom and family right there .... Right beside you.
I'll be praying for her and Wednesday and I also will be showering her with love from afar!

Between Me and You said...

Celtic Blessings from afar to your Mum.xxx

Holly said...

I love that you had a shower for her. What a great idea. I think that the flowers were a perfect gift, a daily reminder of how much she is loved. Been praying for you and your mama a lot. You are on my mind so much. I hope the surgery went well and that she is feeling good today. I always called my father Dad until he got sick and then he became Daddy again, isn't that strange? Love to you and your whole family. Hope to hear how she's doing soon.

priscilla said...

What a fabulous day for your Mom, Kris! The new plants are a great idea ! So sweet ! Hope everything goes well for her tomorrow .. I will be thinking of you ..Big hugs !

From the Kitchen said...

What a wonderful idea! And, what an amazing group of women your mother has to surround her with love and support. I hope all goes well and your mom will be home enjoying those beautiful flowers.

Best,
Bonnie

Home Meadows said...

What a wonderful and thoughtful idea Kris. It looks like your mom was indeed showered with love. Will say a prayer that her surgery goes well. Take care, Heather

Valerie Cottage Making Mommy said...

So inspirational. Made me cry. I miss my mommy terribly.

Hugs,

Valerie

Deb~in~Denver said...

I can feel the love and support in all of your pictures. We never outgrow the need for our Mama's love. You and your Mom are in my daily prayers. I can see that your Mom will continue to be showered in love and blessings. Wishing your Mommy (aka Diane) a very speedy recovery!

Love you, my friend!

podso said...


This brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing idea and how loved and encouraged your mom must be as she faces the surgery and unknowns. She certainly has a loving, large family and wonderful friends. May the news be good and recovery go well!

Pammy Sue said...

What a neat idea and a perfect day for your mom! Your pictures were fun to see. You are such a good daughter for doing that for your mom. Will be thinking of y'all tomorrow! Hugs.

Vanessa said...

This is such a beautiful post. What a lovely idea and a beautiful Day. You have a wonderful Family and wonderful Friends. Sending you prayers for the surgery and a quick recovery. Your mom is so lucky with so many loving friends and family that take care of her.

Hugs from Germany

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Kris, the surgery shower looks like it went very well! Lots of love in that beautiful home of your Mommy's. I call my mother Mommy too and yes, Daddy too! Keeping your Mommy in my thoughts and prayers for a blessed surgery and speedy recovery. Hang in there my sweet friend. Please keep us posted.

Love ya,
Maryjane

Mereknits said...

What a beautiful thing to do for your Mom Kris, a way to celebrate her and all those wonderful people who love her. Good luck tomorrow with the surgery, I will keep you all in my positive thoughts and prayers.
hugs,
Meredith

Lauri said...

What a wonderful idea! I'm going to keep this idea in mind for the right occasion. Bear wishes and many prayers to you and your mother as you go forward with faith.

Gloria Baker said...

What nice and fun idea dear Kris!
Is a lvely idea I think.
All the best for tomorrow surgery I will pray especially for her in the morning, blessings!!
xxxxx
gloria

Debby said...

I have not heard of a surgery shower but I think it is a great idea. I'm sorry for your mother's diagnosis. I hoping and praying that things turn out well. The flowers are such a nice idea....esp. having someone else do the work. You have a beautiful mother and family. Such sweet pictures. (((((HUGS)))) for you.

Kelli said...

Such a beautiful idea Kris....to celebrate someone before their surgery.
Keeping your mom and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Pam said...

I love that you did that for your mom... what a special day and I am certain it made her feel so loved & blessed. Sending good thoughts & prayers her way today. xoxo

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a loving and supportive thing to do, Kris! Sending prayers for your mom and all of your family! XO

An Oasis in the Desert said...

That was such a wonderful thing you all did for your Mom! I did something similar many years ago for a close friend and neighbor who was having a hysterectomy. She still talks about it and how much love she felt. I do hope everything went well for your Mom during her surgery.

Grammy Braxton said...

Dear Kris, I know what you are going through. My Mom has just been diagnosed with nasal cavity cancer and we are getting all the tests and she is facing surgery. I will keep your Mom and you and your family in my prayers.

Hugs,
Sharon

NanaNor's said...

Dear Kris, Missed this post but glad I got to read it today. What an incredibly touching gift to your mom, during her time of need. Such a great party. I have to say your mom is so young looking(you do look like her)and beautiful-it was nice to get a glimpse into her life. I also love her decorating style-can she come help me 8-).
I teared up when I read your line about calling her mommy-because when my sister was at the end of her fight with cancer-the last several weeks, I started calling her DD-instead of Dee. DD is what I called her when I was little.
Sending you lots of love and prayers dear one. May His healing touch her and make her well.
Hugs,
Noreen

corners of my life said...

Your mommy is a lucky lady to have so much love to see her through the journey ahead.