Dear Mom, the day I cried when my kettle died

It’s been a rough day with my youngest son who has the SPD (Sensory Processing Disoder) and impending evaluation for ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Transitions are very difficult for him so I made the mistake this morning by saying “let’s get dressed and go do something fun!” I didn’t use his PECS (Picture Example Communication), a visual tool I use so he can see that’s what we’re going to do. Life has been manageable so I just tried talking about it. Big mistake made there, let’s just add that to my ever growing list shall we?

He wouldn’t get dressed so I helped him. Then I got dressed while he undressed. So I sighed audibly and made breakfast. He refused to eat so I turned on the cartoons and went about my online to do list, running my Facebook page and co-admin four others. I carried on with my updates, checking messages, replying to comments, and I looked up to see my son eating. Well that’s one battle avoided. I decided I would get my breakfast and put on the kettle for tea.    

  
I ate, tidied up the kitchen, and went to make my tea. Then I realized my kettle died. All the stress of the morning came to a head and I cried. I burst into tears, and cried till my throat was raw and snot and tears were pouring down my face. I call that the ugly cry of no return. I lost track of how long I cried, my son found me on the floor huddled up into a ball in the fetal position. My Mom bought me that kettle, and it was last gift she ever gave me. It was a painful moment for me the day my kettle died. For a tea lover like me this is a very sad thing! It’s the last gift my Mom gave to me. And now she flies with the angels so I feel the insatiable desire to write about my pain….

  
 I felt so silly crying over a kettle but it’s the memories I have of her and that kettle. Drinking tea, laughing, loving, and sharing our hearts. I miss her so much, and microwave tea water sucks. I just want to sit with my Mom again and babble, banter, and sing like we used to. It doesn’t matter how old we get we just don’t stop needing our parents! Well I’m speaking for myself, but I’ll never forget the day my brother phoned me. He called my cell phone and asked me why I had answered it. I replied “it’s my phone, it rang, so I answered it.” Bitchtastic morning to you too! 

I may need to mention I’m not a morning person. He was trying to get ahold of my husband who he thought would have the phone. I knew my Mom was gone so I voiced it, and he said yes and assured me my husband was on his way home. What my brother didn’t know was that our Mom came to me in a dream. She reached for my hand and called me by the pet name she had for me, I reached back and woke up. Just in time to see her disappearing into the ethers as my phone rang. There I sat on the edge of my bed rubbing my very pregnant belly. I was eight months along, alone, and devastated. 

  
My husband arrived home and gathered me up in a hug while our oldest child slept through it all. I collapsed into my loves chest and soaked his shirt with my tears. I close my eyes now and see it all replaying like a movie in my head. How did I survive that trauma to my heart, psyche, and soul? I gave birth to my baby a month premature and had to keep living, loving, and raising my children. I don’t know if I survived it so to speak, I just didn’t have a choice. My family needed me to recover, to be me even if I was just a mere grieving shell of myself. As I get closer to Mother’s Day I try to remember that it’s important to put myself on my list of priorities. Taking back the me I once was is a gift to myself, and to my family. 

The only thing I would ask for this Mother’s Day would be the gift of time. Wrapped up in beautiful embossed paper I would find a journal and a beautiful pen to write my thoughts in. Recording those days that are so long with sensory meltdowns, those little conversations my son has with his toys about going to the zoo. Remembering how my oldest son used his problem solving skills, instead of screaming out his pain. A gift certificate to my favourite  restaurant where my husband and I could enjoy a date night with each other’s company. A note from a certified special needs caregiver who will stay and look after my children for a few hours of our lives.  

 

*Image found on Pinterest.*
 

 I would love a brand new kettle to make new memories with while sipping my tea and thinking of my Mom. Followed by a gift card to a gardening center to pick up a beautiful plant, soil, and Miracle Grow to plant in my old kettle. A wonderful idea shared by my heart sister friend The Brain. And lastly a box of Kleenex to dry my tears, blow my nose, and a bottle of wine to allow it all to sink in how very blessed I am. 

Happy Mother’s Day to you. ❤️

Jeanine Lebsack

Writer, research assistant, podcaster, reiki healer, and a passionate advocate for neurodiversity. On my writing journey I’ve discovered a plethora of passions including writing, researching, entertaining through song and dance, with a desire to explore and create something transformational and healing. I believe in the sacred art of storytelling and that there’s power in the written and spoken word. Join me on my journey using the magic of words, music, and heart song. I believe we create ripples of energy that flow throughout the universe and by sharing our stories it creates change, positivity, and healing. Have a listen to my podcast on Spotify and Anchor at House of a Writer.

16 thoughts on “Dear Mom, the day I cried when my kettle died

  • 10 May 2015 at 10:58 am
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    Happy Mother’s Day!
    Thanks for sharing once again a beautiful passage of your life.
    Warm regards.
    Lucile

    Reply
    • 10 May 2015 at 3:25 pm
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      Happy Mother’s Day to you Lucile, thank you so much for kind words. ?

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    • 31 May 2015 at 7:37 pm
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      My son, Aidan also has a sensory processing disorder. Along with Apraxia of Speech, and possibly Autism. I totally understand how it is transitioning from 1 activity to the next. Thanks for sharing this!

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      • 2 June 2015 at 1:36 am
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        Oh Chelesa kindred hearts we are!!! It’s a lot and I do my best to keep both my kids regulated. One copes better than the other so I try to focus on that strength. And to use to a more positive advantage to us all. Thank you so much for reading. ?

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  • 10 May 2015 at 1:10 pm
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    ???????????? ?‍❤️‍?‍?-I can’t find the right words..just Love and Hearts for You this morning Jeanine – Happy Mother’s Day!! I hope to see a picture of a plant in that kettle – An indoor ivy would work well – I had ivy in a teapot that trailed and lasted many years! Love You!! ❤️

    Reply
    • 10 May 2015 at 3:22 pm
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      Oh Colleen thank you so much I appreciate all the love so much. ?Ivy is a wonderful idea, first I want to decorate the kettle and then I will plant. An ivy is the perfect plant to honour my Mom, thank you and happy Mother’s Day to you. ??

      Reply
  • 10 May 2015 at 4:57 pm
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    To many people it was just a kettle but to you it had far more important value that can’t be measured in money. It was a link between you and your mother so I totally see why you broke down when the kettle did. Hope you have a happy Mother’s Day, Jeanine.

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    • 10 May 2015 at 5:28 pm
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      Thank you Mike for always teaching and reaching my heart across the miles. Blessings to a happy Mother’s Day to your wife and daughter in-laws. ?

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      • 10 May 2015 at 5:51 pm
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        Thank you. The strange thing is that in the UK, Mother’s Day is in March. I keep forgetting about the North American holiday in may, so I best send an ecard to my mother.

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        • 10 May 2015 at 5:59 pm
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          Yes I found that out through an author friend. Good thing you remembered your card for your Mom. ??

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  • 10 May 2015 at 6:11 pm
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    Heart sister! I cried reading this beautiful post! ♡ love to you and the memories of your mama! Happy mothers day!

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    • 10 May 2015 at 11:13 pm
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      I love you and thank you so much for all your love and support. Happy Mother’s Day to you too. ??

      Reply
  • 11 May 2015 at 12:50 am
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    Luckily the kettle (though it brought you comfort) was replaceable. The memories you hold dear of your mother are irreplaceable and will live in your heart forever. Love to you ❤

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    • 11 May 2015 at 1:24 am
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      Yes I can appreciate that and I will be replacing my kettle tomorrow and planting in the old one. My Mom was one of a kind and I’m so happy that I can have such wonderful memories of her. Thank you for your kind words they filled my grieving heart with gladness. Love to you my sweet Jenn. ❤️

      Reply

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