The Beauty of the Ordinary

Hi my friend,

Today is Mother's Day 
here in Latvia.

And for me, 
it's always been a day 
with many layers.

When I was little, 
this day felt like a tightly 
scheduled event.

From the moment I opened my eyes, 
my sister and I would be ushered from 
one house to the next…

Visiting our aunt and grandmas, 
honoring the women who 
came before us.

It was a day of flowers and cakes,
of lemonade-filled glasses 
and polite small talk.

And just when we'd start 
to feel settled - we were off again, 
onto the next stop.

Later, when I met my husband, 
our route expanded even more.
More hugs, more visits, 
more people to show up for.

And I didn't question it.
It was simply what we did - 
what I'd always done.

Until the year it changed.

A few years ago, 
my mom passed away.

And that first 
Mother's Day without her,
I didn't go anywhere.

I didn't feel like smiling 
or drinking lemonade.

I just wanted 
one quiet, ordinary day
with my children.

And that's what I had.

Ever since then, 
I've come to love these soft, 
ordinary Mother's Days.

No plans. No rush. No pressure.
Just space.

To feel whatever I feel.
To follow the rhythm of my heart
instead of a schedule.

Some years that means 
waffles in pajamas.
Other times -
a walk in the woods.
Or watching a movie we all 
know by heart.

There's something sacred 
in the ordinary.
Something healing in the space
to simply be.

So wherever today finds you - 
celebrating, missing someone, 
or just living a beautifully
ordinary day…

I'm sending love.

May your day be 
just what your heart needs,
my friend.

With love,
Elina