[H]ello! Happy Sunday and Happy Mother’s Day! I’ve been thinking a lot lately about some of the lessons I’ve learned from my mother. The lessons mostly involve kindness, compassion, understanding, how to clean a toilet, the timeframe within which a thank-you note is appropriate, and how to donate everything and throw nothing at all away.
My mama is a gemstone and I am richly blessed to grow up under her care. She also makes a really delicious Bundt cake and the smell of her perfume is embedded in my happy-home brain.
I hope your day is spent with people you love.
If you need some words to read, here is the Internet this week:
• A Free Life In Iraq. The life of a heroic journalist fighting for for the future of Iraq.
• The tragic and powerful story of Madison Holleran. I read this days ago and it’s still on my mind. Depression doesn’t always look like we’d expect, especially when passed through all of our social filters: Split Image.
• I love you, California. I miss you madly. Photographer Pieter Hugo captures San Francisco’s most infamous neighborhood: The Tenderloin.
• The Pseudoscience of Beauty Products. Can I get some straight answers about what to do about these wrinkles on my neck or… no? That’s just natural? But isn’t there some sort of cream for that…?
• How a watch can make you bigger, better, faster, and stronger. Or not. Upon This Wrist: a week with the new thing.
• How shadows are changing New York City: light and prosperity.
• A dude on a skateboard to park your car. Someone to do your laundry, make you dinner, bring you a cocktail, and give you a massage. All the people to meet all of your needs… all on your smartphones. There’s An Uber For Everything Now.
• Why Do Cats Purr (and why can’t I)?
• Last year I read Maya Angelou’s autobiography Mom & Mr & Mom. It’s been on my mind since today is Mother’s Day. Such a beautiful life.
• Cropped and Ferned. Find me in this all summer long.
• Always do what Mama Says.
I think you are wonderful. Have the best Sunday!
xo Joy
me
The book title is “Mom & Me & Mom”.
Stacy
I always love your Sunday round-ups of the world wide web. They get me to read articles I normally wouldn’t come across. Madison’s story was one of those articles.I’m so glad I read it. Mental illness needs to be talked about more often with such clarity and open-mindedness that this article provided. I hope someday there isn’t the stigma that mental illness is something to be ashamed of.
It’s a day late, but Happy Furry Mothers Day Joy! Hope Tron cat gave you some good lovings!
Megan
Madison’s story really touched my heart this morning. I think sadness is something we all struggle with at some point in life. It’s hard to know whether social media helps or hurts us. Glad to see the conversation around this exists, and hopefully her story helps others. Thanks for sharing this.
amber s.
Was that picture taken at nut tree?
Paulette
Your mom is gorgeous the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I spent the day with my mom she is still in the nursing home, going on seven years and yes my sisters and I are there every day. Not one day goes by that she does not have one of her daughters there. We try to make every day mothers day for her. She gave so much of herself so how its our turn. Everyone have a great Mothers day. Paulette
Build Bake Taste
Joy I need to tell you: you really look like yourself right now in that picture! you are the sweetest thing on earth.
Sending love, and thank you for your lesson about sunday blues: you once gave us advice about it involving chocolate coffee vegan cake and I am SO LUCKY and so GRATEFUL for this. and all your advices you know. Love,
Ludi
Jonena
I read Madison Holleran’s story earlier this week, and it is still weighing on my heart. It has made me think about how I share my life on social media where filters change perception and how I can connect more with my loved ones without social media because it acts as a filter.
I really love your “Let it be Sunday” posts — always good reads and new perspectives. Thank you!
Jenna
Loving your pic! Yes, moms always do know best and mine has taught me about thank you notes too :)
Jocelyn Delk Adams (@grandbabycake)
Mamas that make amazing pound cakes are blessings indeed. Nothing ever tastes as good or feels as comforting. Happy Mother’s Day to your wonderful mother.
Noreen
Love this pic! Your mom’s hair and outfit was so my style then! It brought me back to wonderful memories of my oldest also in his 30’s. You are so adorable, same sweet face. Your mom must be so proud of you, Joy! Happy MOM’S day to all moms.
Eliza
“You’re hungry? Eat an apple. You don’t want an apple? You must not be hungry.”
Mamas indeed know best.