Sometimes things hit you all at once that send your serenity to smithereens, but sometimes you get some warning and can prepare. That’s how it is for me this holiday. I could make no plans and probably feel kind of glumpy all day (I made up that word, but I’m sure you know what it means), or I can plan ahead and have a brilliant day all on my own. 

Here’s my intention: I’ll open my gift from William first thing. It’s sitting on the kitchen counter right now, a bright red bag with something inside. Then I’ll go to an early morning meeting of people who are on a similar spiritual path. Then church. Then lunch in Chinatown. If I have lunch somewhere else, everyplace will be doing brunches and Mother’s Day things, and I could feel sorry for myself. Chinatown is another world. Different holidays. Different vibe. Bok choy and black mushrooms and jasmine tea and no brunches. And I’ll get some cut-rate body work—Chinatown goes seven days a week and the reflexology and tuina massage places operate on Sunday like any other time. And then I’ll find some funky film in The Village, a documentary maybe. 

That night, William will be back and he’ll bring his daughter, Sian (photos below — I’m not technically savvy enough to know how to make them bigger). The apartment will be full of life. And when he says, “How was your day?” I can say, “It was amazing,” and mean it.

I hope your Mother’s Day will be greeting-card-perfect: with your mom and your kids and maybe your grandma. But if you have to be creative this year the way I’m going to be, may your unconventional rendition be as sweet and touching and every bit as memorable as the Hallmark version.