Best Mother's Day Gift Idea? How About A Day Off From Motherhood?

 The other morning I texted my now adult kids from my favorite brunch place to see if any of them would be coming home next Sunday for Mother's Day.  Feeling fairly confident that brunch reservations had not been made by anyone else, I figured I'd take matters into my own hands to make sure I got to eat what I wanted where I wanted on my day.When I texted them, I made sure that they knew that I didn't expect them to come home, and that it was fine if they couldn't; I just wanted to make sure I had the correct count for the reservation.  No pressure...really.As I had assumed, all were busy and would not be home for the weekend.  So, I made the reservation for three.  My youngest, just home for the summer from his first year of college, would have to suffice and represent his brother and sister in spoiling and appreciating their mother for the day, or at least for brunch.  I was totally fine with this.  Totally.  Really.Cuz, here's the thing:  The best Mother's Day gifts I ever got were the Mother's Days when my husband would take my kids and get the hell out of my house.  No, really.I had the place to myself.  Quiet, peaceful, empty.  I would read, nap, and watch the TV shows I wanted to, eat in peace and go to the bathroom taking all the time I needed.  I'd shower with no one calling my name.  I cooked for no one, cleaned up after no one and reveled it. No, really.Sure, there was that bit of mother guilt.  But, every day for the other 364 days of the year, I was their mom.  I wanted, deserved and needed that day off.  It wasn't as if they wouldn't see me that day or celebrate in some way.  Perhaps they'd bring me breakfast in bed and then leave, or alternatively, they'd be gone when I awoke, allowing me the exquisite indulgence of waking to no alarm and no kids so I could hang out in bed.  Eventually, they'd all return and we would go out to dinner and I would be the gracious recipient of cards and handmade drawn pictures and lovely gifts.  It was perfect, really.Except...I always wondered if my wish for Mother's Day didn't make me a terrible person, let alone mother.  What mother wanted her kids gone for Mother's Day?  Isn't that the antithesis of the meaning of the holiday?  But then, I got over it.  It's amazing how quickly one can get over things with ample peace and quiet.Let's face it; I was never going to be that mom that won the makeovers or the trips or the surprise family reunion getaway that all the morning news and TV programs gave away all week leading up to that Sunday.  I had nothing to prove!  I knew I was a great mom who loved her kids and gave them her all for the other 364 days a year.  But on day 365:  Get the hell out of my house!  No, really.  Get out.So a few days ago, about two hours after I sent my texts, I got a phone call.  "Hey, mom, I figured out a way so that I can come home this weekend.  I've got to go to a christening on Saturday, and need a car.  So, I'll come Friday night, borrow a car for Saturday, come back after the christening and stay over so I'll be around on Sunday too.  Then I'll take the bus back to the city. Is that ok?"Then the next kid chimed in with her text, "Hey, I realized I can come home this weekend but not til Saturday.  Then I'll take the bus back to the city on Sunday.  Ok?"See??  It seems my kids suffered no long-term damage from being removed from their homes by their fathers at the request of their mothers on past Mothers' Days. What a relief, because if there's one thing we mothers know, it's that whatever psychological issues our kids may someday suffer, it's all our fault.Now that my kids no longer live home, having the audacity to get on with their own lives, a funny thing has happened:  I MISS HAVING THEM AROUND!  So, I got back on the phone and I changed the reservation.  I made food-shopping lists and will change sheets.  It's gonna be a full house and I'm thrilled to spend this Mother's Day with my kids. NO, REALLY...So Happy Mother's Day to all! But, please someone out there tell me that, you too, were terrible mothers who secretly or not so secretly enjoyed nothing more than a day off from motherhood on Mother's Day!