Ann Shanley, making wildflower bouquets in a Wyoming field at 90. Mothers Day Classifieds, Page 10 Classifieds, Reflections Pages 2, 3 Republican Candidates Wellbeing For Governor Page 8 Elections, Page 6-7 Requested in home 5-6-21 home in Requested Time sensitive material. material. sensitive Time ArPets: Wendy’s Postmaster: Attention permit #322 permit Easton, MD Easton, 21st Birthday PAID U.S. Postage U.S. ArPets, Page 10 STD PRSRT Photo by Eden Brown/The Connection by Eden Brown/The Photo May 5-11, 2021 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com Mother’s Day Moms are Always There, Until They Aren’t … Or Are They? Reflecting on mothers She was the springboard from which each of us jumped into life. We knew that life’s needs would be met while we were off tak- from a different era. ing chances too risky for a wife or mother. By Pamela Mathes We exercised the fruits of our education that The Connection she would not be able to pursue as a wife or mother. We had the celebratory recognition oms are always there. They pop of achievement that she would set up, coor- into your mind even when they dinate, bake for and welcome as a hostess to are not physically there, espe- all in attendance. cially if you are weighing the In 2018, just after my Dad died, I did get M contributed Photo odds of getting caught doing something that the chance to tell my mother just how much she warned you not to do. She is somehow I observed her dedication – her self-effacing there especially if you accomplished some- strength. I told her that although we never thing you really did not think you could tack- said the words, we knew deep down inside le, say nothing of complete. She has always who was responsible for the predictable been that “conscience” sitting on my shoul- warmth and security associated with home. der. You know that special look that conveys At this time, dementia had truly blanketed her ability to respond verbally. so much without words having to be said. Alexandria resident Pam Mathes (right) with her mother, Pat. And in the middle, a As I took her hand to communicate my So this Mothers Day, I realize that my big nosy poodle named Phoebe. mother will really never again be physically thoughts, I saw how the years had marred her available to me. She died on Jan. 4, 2021, her life.” They were the perfect Navy couple and her daughter. skin and had made her look frail. And then and I have been so busy settling her estate – solid, social and responsible. They were I guess you could say that my mother lived I felt it -- that strong squeeze, that knowing and continuing to “do” things for her and tie dedicated to making a better life for them- her life through others. She was from the era shake and that pull on my arm. Again, with up “life’s packages” in her honor, that I truly selves and their children and were totally of brave women who were not allowed to no words my mother assured me and made have not taken the time to say goodbye. It devoted to one another. She was the per- have careers and were expected to get mar- me feel appreciated. She comforted me while is a task that I knew intellectually would ar- fect Navy bride, always stepped up to serve ried, to have children and to delight in keep- I was doing my best to comfort her. rive, but now that it is here, I am in awe of where and when needed. Although never ing the house clean with delightful meals So that is the way it is now. She comforts where it may take me. officially recognized by the Navy as the hard on the family table. She did all those things me as I live without her. Her memory, her My mother came from a small town in working, conscientiously faithful accomplice beautifully, graciously and never asked for words, her hug, her reassurance will nev- Beloit, Wisconsin. She dated her childhood to Dad’s successes, she proudly was there to recognition. It was expected so she stepped er leave me. Even though I cannot see her sweetheart in high school and spent the next celebrate his career. She was always there to up and made sure expectations were met physically, her presence is there. Moms are 73 years of her 95 years with “the love of celebrate accomplishments of both her son fully and grandly. always there. Be a part of our: Wellbeing pages, the first week of every month. Delight in our HomeLifeStyle sections, the second week of every month. Peek at the top real estate sales, glimpse over-the-top remodeling projects, get practical suggestions for your home. Celebrate students, camps, schools, enrichment programs, colleges and more in our A-plus: Education, Learning, Fun pages, the third week of every month. Senior Living, fourth week of every month. Questions? E-mail sales@connection newspapers.com or call 703-778-9431 2 v Arlington Connection v May 5-11, 2021 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mother’s Day She was the springboard from which each of us jumped into life. We knew that life’s It’s Mom’s Turn: Try Breakfast in Bed needs would be met while we were off tak- ing chances too risky for a wife or mother. By Shirley Ruhe Ruhe/The Connection by Shirley Photos We exercised the fruits of our education that Arlington Connection she would not be able to pursue as a wife or mother. We had the celebratory recognition t’s her special day. Mom may of achievement that she would set up, coor- want to get dressed up and dinate, bake for and welcome as a hostess to go out for brunch or she may all in attendance. want to just stay in bed. But In 2018, just after my Dad died, I did getI of course that doesn’t mean she the chance to tell my mother just how muchdoesn’t expect a special breakfast I observed her dedication – her self-effacingthat she doesn’t have to make her- strength. I told her that although we never self. said the words, we knew deep down inside She may not love to share a bowl who was responsible for the predictableof your fruit loops but scrambled warmth and security associated with home. eggs are easy for kids because you At this time, dementia had truly blanketed are supposed to break the eggs. Duck Donuts fall into hot fat in front of your eyes and can be cus- her ability to respond verbally. And what kid doesn’t love to whip tomized with your choice of coating, topping and drizzle. As I took her hand to communicate mythem up around and around in the thoughts, I saw how the years had marred herbowl? But what else to serve on sert on Mother’s Day so a two-layer skin and had made her look frail. And thenher tray for that special surprise? 5.5-inch chocolate personal heart I felt it -- that strong squeeze, that knowing Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar and cake with a special message will shake and that pull on my arm. Again, withEatery on Courthouse Road offers hit the spot. no words my mother assured me and madea Breakfast in Bed bundle, which Maybe mom is more of a donut me feel appreciated. She comforted me whileis a collection of petite croissants, lover. Duck Donuts on Harrison I was doing my best to comfort her. savory scones and a mini-banana Street allows you to create an in- So that is the way it is now. She comfortsloaf, packaged in a custom box. You dividualized donut with mom’s me as I live without her. Her memory, her could supplement it with pepper favorite frosting, topping and driz- words, her hug, her reassurance will nev-jelly for an extra zip. Orders must zle. The donut falls into the vat er leave me. Even though I cannot see her be placed by cob Thursday, May 6. of hot fat in front of your eyes. It Contributed Photos physically, her presence is there. Moms areThe best thing about this selection can be topped with just about any always there. is that despite how hungry mom flavor you can imagine including Best Buns offers heart shaped Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & may be, there is plenty leftover for chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, lem- cookies for mom as well as a Eatery offers a Breakfast in Bed everyone including you. on, blueberry and maple. Then on Breakfast in Bed tray. bundle to surprise mom on her Be a part of our: Best Buns Bread Company in to the toppings: coconut, crunchy special day. Shirlington offers Mom’s Breakfast bacon, rainbow sprinkles, graham Wellbeing pages, the first in Bed tray with chocolate, plain crackers and more. And final- by Randolph in Lee Heights Shop- cream puff swan and opera with a week of every month. and almond croissants, orange and ly some drizzle on the top if you ping Center has pastries and pas- bit of gold leaf. And if your moth- Randolph’s Bakery meets the cherry scones with a heart-shaped choose. For Mother’s Day, they fea- tries and pastries and cookies and er is a gardener, you can pick up demand to eat dessert first with cookie and raspberry jam. If you Delight in our HomeLifeStyle ture a donut special vanilla with cakes and pastries.