Sunday, October 23, 2016

National Mother in Law Day

We can thank the good people of the state of Texas, where I lived for almost a year in the mid 1970's, for Mother In Law day.  It is observed on the fourth Sunday in October, and is modeled after Mother's Day - except the day is to honor the mother of your spouse.

My spouse never knew my mother, who passed away some five years before we met.  But my mother in law has been in my life for some 46 years.

A relationship with your mother in law can be quite complex, depending on the culture you live in.  I majored in cultural anthropology back in my college days, and learned about societies where a man had to avoid contact with his mother in law at all costs.

In our society, some relationships are close, and some are not.  One newspaper even published some quotes to provide your mother in law with, if you chose to.

In other cultures, like ours, the daughter in laws and mother in laws have varying relationships.  I've seen some of the various flavors (as I am old enough for my friends and I to have grown children) - some good, some not so good.  I am not the parent of a married child, so only time will tell how I take my position in any such future relationship.
Japanese anemones - their foliage is turning color
Cosmos

For my mother in law, who I will not be seeing today, here are a couple of virtual flowers for you.

My mother in law is a three time cancer survivor, has raised and cared for a son who is developmentally disabled, and has shown strength in a lot of situations.  One thing she can not say is that her life has not been boring.  And now, she is still starring in still another role- how to age with grace.

Happy mother in law's day to all the women who are in the role of mother in law.

Day 23 of the #Ultimate Blog Challenge.

7 comments:

  1. Guess there is a day for everybody. I had a great MIL. We kept up our friendship even after I divorced her son. I miss having her around.

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  2. Happy Mother-in-Law's Day to your Mother-in-Law. I lost mine a few years ago but she was a jewel among women who managed to raise three good sons. I'm especially grateful for one of them.

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  3. Wow, what a great mother in law. She sounds like a real survivor who has overcome much and has a fabulous attitude!

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  4. I've never meant my mother in law. She passed away well before I even knew my husband.
    His dad married a lovely lady, and I consider her my mother in law.
    Coffee is on

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  5. It's hard to keep track of all the different days. As I don't have a mother-in-law, I don't have to worry about this one.

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  6. For most of the married women in India every other day is a Mother-in-law day. Here the Mother-in-laws rule the roost commanding respect for her role and position. I guess relationships where there is respect for the person, the human part rather than the role or position, such relationships irrespective of daughter-in-laws, mother-in-laws or any other relation thrive well.

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  7. That's quite a day ! Being a mother in law is tough in any culture because it means a lot of adjustment for all concerned and re- jigging of relationships. I too am lucky with my mother in law who is supportive and understanding and let's me be me

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