Mother's Day is May 9, and this month we acknowledge not only our mothers but also what it means to be a mother. The first image that comes to mind for me is a colorful arrangement of flowers in the middle of the dining room table in my mother's home sent to her by her two daughters and three grandchildren. The idea brings me joy and hope, but what it means to be a mother and have a mother isn't always that simple. Actually, it can be pretty complicated. Mother-daughter relationships are notorious for being fraught with tension. Some people have lost their mothers, are estranged from their mothers, or wish they were mothers to children but aren't. So, this holiday isn't all roses. It can bring up a range of emotions and memories. And yet, beyond all the disappointments, heartbreaks, and losses, we can still choose to see the beauty of motherhood and find a special way to celebrate it.  In her debut novel, Broken Glass, my mother, Mary VanderGoot, author and Ph.D. in Psychology, reflects on motherhood through the experiences of her characters. Broken Glass is the first novel in the Maggie Barnes Trilogy. Maggie is the matriarch of a family of characters who will remind you of people you know. Follow Mary VanderGoot on her website at www.maryvandergoot.com and on social media @maryvandergoot and on Facebook. Stay tuned for the next two novels in the trilogy coming out soon!  We all know novels are partly autobiographical, so here's where a "yikes" comes in for me.  Double yikes! But seriously, I'm proud of my mother for writing this book. So, starting today, Mind the Mat invites you to purchase her novel for yourself or another woman you wish to honor. Support local business and use the promotional code MOM20 to receive a 20% discount on the cover price of $19.00, as seen on Amazon.com. Order your book from Mind the Mat and get free shipping delivered to your doorstep within three business days from the date of your order.  Give Her The Gift of Wellness! Mind the Mat Pilates and Yoga has incredible fitness and wellness offerings for mothers. Gift to yourself or another woman. Stay in Safari when purchasing. 1.) Mother's Day Special! $50 Deluxe Monthly Membership for the first month. Includes an extensive digital library of classes, outdoor classes, and in-studio classes in Pilates, yoga, meditation, prenatal, and post-pregnancy.2.) Purchase a Mind the Mat Gift Certificate: Do it online. It's easy peasy. Choose the amount you would like to gift and click to send.3.) Signature 6-Week Series for Moms With Expert Instructors:

• Starts May 13! Virtual Prenatal Yoga 6-Week Series with Mind the Mat Owner, Sara VanderGoot, Doula, Certified Massage Therapist and Experienced Prenatal and Post-pregnancy Yoga Instructor.
• Starts May 13! Virtual After Baby Fitness 6-Week Series with Sarah Contrada, Physical Therapist, Pelvic Floor Specialist, Experienced Prenatal and Post-Pregnancy Yoga Instructor.
• Starts May 24! Virtual Prenatal Pilates 6-Week Series with Mind the Mat Owner, Megan Brown, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Experienced Prenatal and Post-pregnancy Pilates Instructor.

 4.)  Purchase Class Packages or Membership to book Outdoor Prenatal Yoga & Post-Pregnancy Mommy & Me (for babies up to crawling age) Classes in Alexandria All Summer Long!5.) Specialized Workshops: with experts in the field of prenatal, post-pregnancy, childbirth, and pediatric care

• This one is a must for all caretakers!
• Virtual/ZOOM Infant & Child CPR, May 8 with Laura Punaro, Pediatric Intensive Care Registered Nurse
• Prepare for optimal labor and delivery!
• Virtual/ZOOM Childbirth Intensive, May 19 with Carol Wyman, Registered Nurse and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator
• Bond with your baby!
• Outdoor Infant Massage, June 6 with Joanna Ranelli, Doula, and Experienced Prenatal and Post-pregnancy Yoga Instructor.