by Cheryl Batavia

Perfect Mothers? Perfect Children?

My children, Katey, Ellen, and Joe visit with my mother, Marian, in Winchester, Virginia. Photo taken around 1997.
Christmastime in Hollywood, Florida. My mother and my children. First Christmas in the US for Katey and Joe after they arrived from Russia in early October, 1996.

Perfect Mothers? Perfect Children?

No perfect parents,

no perfect children exist!

But love perfects us.

Love brings us perfect joy in

a world of imperfection.

Copyright © 2026 by Cheryl Batavia

Happy Mother’s Day!

Wishing a Joyous Mother’s Day to Mothers and Families Everywhere!

I am overjoyed to be celebrating Mother’s Day with my daughters on the annual road trip we have missed for the last two years due to Robert’s and my illnesses. My daughters are giving me the swim with the dolphins in the Keys that I missed last year as a Mother’s Day gift. My daughter Katey is making me photo albums with old and new family photos for Mother’s Day. We will be taking two boat tours in Everglades National Park. I plan on eating a little Key lime pie and hopefully, seeing some flamingos.

Our visit will be from 5/14- 5/20. I will share a post on our trip after we return.

I am also looking forward to a Mother’s day call from my son. We will celebrate when we can!

Ellen and Katey with Skipper the Dolphin at Theater of the Sea last year.

Ellen and Katey Meet Skipper, the Dolphin: Shallow Water Dolphin Swim, Theater of the Sea, Islamorada, FL

8 Comments

  2. Unknown's avatar

    Cheryl, what a beautiful reflection on Mother’s Day and the imperfect, love-filled beauty of family. I love how you’ve captured that it’s love—not perfection—that brings us joy. So happy to hear you’re finally able to take that long-awaited road trip with your daughters! Swimming with dolphins, boat tours in the Everglades, Key lime pie, and flamingos—sounds absolutely magical. And what a precious gift those photo albums from Katey will be. Wishing you the most wonderful celebration, and I hope your son’s call fills your heart just as much. Enjoy every moment, Mama—you’ve earned it! 💐 Happy Mother’s Day!

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