I am a friend, and a daughter too

I'm away right now having a girls' weekend with my mom. This is the first time in 11 years of motherhood that I've taken time for retreat, rejuvenation and fun separate from my family.

I took the bus from where I live in Maine to meet her in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, a sweet little spot roughly halfway between my home and hers in Nova Scotia.

We are enjoying the hospitality of my parents' friends who live on a cove of Passamaquoddy Bay. No pictures to post yet (though I've taken hundreds). The photo of me was taken last weekend by Laurent while I was drinking my morning coffee. I suppose I shouldn't think about last weekend too much or I might start missing my family...

No worries about that though because in a very real sense I am with family. I'm with my mother after all! But she's so much more than that, she's my best girl friend. And in our short time together we've had hours of uninterrupted conversation (no "Nana" or "Mommy" needing our response), many laughs and a few tears.

We've caught up on recent books we've read, gone walking for hours in the beautiful nature surrounding us here, done a wee bit of local shopping, shared green smoothies and recipes (my mom's studying to be Registered Holistic Nutritionist) .

It's such a wonderful treat to have this time to focus on being a friend and a daughter.

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  • Deb J

    Deb J on May 2, 2010, 12:57 a.m.

    I think it is great that you are having this time with your mother. My mother and I are best of friends too. We live together since my father died and we have a great time.

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  • Rana

    Rana on May 2, 2010, 2:33 a.m.

    What a wonderful girls weekend. I used to do things like this with my mom when she was alive. We took the train from MI to Toronto one time. We had a blast just walking around and looking through the shops. Enjoy every minute of it. Have a great weekend with your mom!

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  • Jen

    Jen on May 2, 2010, 3:38 a.m.

    Hope you have a wonderful time! While I love being with my kids, I also know when I get those times away I come back so refreshed! Hope your time is very refreshing!

    reply

  • Molly

    Molly on May 2, 2010, 8:13 a.m.

    I love that you say you took time from your family, yet you are with family. How fortunate to be blessed with such a wonderful family. Enjoy every moment with your Mom and what a fabulous reunion there will be when you get home.

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  • kyndale

    kyndale on May 2, 2010, 3:13 p.m.

    Oh Renee, it sounds wonderful. You deserve every moment. I've said it before but your mom is so cool! holistic nutrition. I would love to hear about her journey towards this.

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  • Jill Foley

    Jill Foley on May 2, 2010, 3:50 p.m.

    Good for you....I live very far from my mom, but am going to see her (with my family) this next week. We always make time for just the two of us when we are together so we can reconnect as mother/daughter. Looking forward to our walks, coffee and late night movie!

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  • Claudia

    Claudia on May 2, 2010, 6:22 p.m.

    I hope you're enjoying your weekend trip! There's nothing like a mama-daughter bond, and you picked a lovely spot to celebrate it! Hope you're enjoying my neck of the woods...it's a lovely weekend here in NB! :)

    reply

    • renee

      renee on May 3, 2010, 12:01 a.m.

      Claudia - it is a wonderful weekend here! To watch spring open its leaves, so to speak.  St. Andrews is very lovely. A bit touristy but not overly so, especially this early in the season but very natural also. I'm loving it.

       

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