Mother’s Day and the Opportunity to Say Thank You to All Those Who Mother Us

Long ago the holiday of Mother’s Day was thought to be confined to all those who were birth mothers to children. Cast in a traditional role, one saw pictures of children drawing happy scenes on construction paper with crayons to express their sentiments for the occasion. Fortunately, today, we realize that the title of Mother is one that can be bestowed on anyone who takes a vested interest in loving, caring about or for a child, providing safety, comfort, lodging, and food for a child, or supporting a group of children who otherwise would have no one to call by that name.

Mothers are our very first friends in life, most of the time. They spend the most amount of time with us until we can walk, talk, and participate in activities with others. They teach us rules of behavior, share their faith with us or show us by example how to have faith, and most of all, they teach us kindness and compassion, which begins in their hearts. Our ability to give and receive love is often a function of how that was shown to us when we were young. Others come by it naturally.

What’s the best gift to offer your mom or other special lady who filled the role of providing a mother’s love? It’s only one day a year, which can often seem unfair to just have one day to celebrate them. And yet, here it is, so what do you give to show your appreciation?

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The first favorite gift is unquestionably the gift of time. Taking time well in advance of the holiday to plan something special to honor your mother and the mother of your children is important. You know this day is coming so it should never look as though you waited until the last minute.

Phone calls are a must, especially if distance separates you and you can’t be there in person. Cards in the mail will take extra time, so plan on priority mail or overnight delivery if you’re cutting it close. So, time and thoughtfulness are two special ways you say “I love you” to your mom. What else?

The gift of memories, especially to an older mom, is always appreciated. Photographs that you’ve had enlarged, showing a beloved family reunion, or the two of you at a special day and time in your lives, at an event that brought you both pride and joy, those are the kinds of pictures that it’s a joy to see every day of a mother’s life.

The timeless gift of your voice—you can record a personalized greeting on your phone and send it to her via text message or e-mail, and she can play it over and over again. Telling her that you love and appreciate her is something she can see every day when she wakes up or before she goes to sleep at night. While it seems like nothing special, you’d be surprised how much it means to her. And, when you rediscover it among her things in the days where she has passed away, you might realize how much your kindness and thoughtful gift meant.

There’s no time like today to tell someone you love how much they mean to you, regardless of any national occasion. People cannot hear enough how their presence in our lives makes a difference. Taking others for granted is so easy to do, especially with our parents. We assume they will live forever, be able to join us in all our activities forever.

Because they were our very first friends, mothers are the ones that it is possible to just think that it’s just one more holiday for them. Perhaps it is. But on the vague possibility it is not, be sure and work your schedule around to include them in whatever you do. For those whose biological parents were not the ones who represent “mother” to them, just share our love with those who are.

People come into our lives and fill roles “just like” the ones we need when we need them. Life has a way of working out. Perhaps your grandmother is the one who raised you, or an aunt, or a beloved next-door neighbor was your advocate throughout your transition to adulthood. Titles are not as important as those who can express and share their love with you, especially when it is so greatly needed.

Many years go by and some of us who’ve lost their mothers early are forced to remember the loss, rather than celebrate the presence. And, on Mother’s Day it can hurt, there’s no denying. But every moment we had with our mothers becomes even more precious in our memories. As we go through life, and as women may become mothers themselves, it is a chance to put into action all the things about their dear moms that they remember best and loved the most.

This year I’m fortunate to celebrate my own wonderful mother, Lorene, and my beautiful wife, Chelsea, who is an amazing and gifted mother to our son, Rowen, who simply adores her. It is with love and thanks that I wish them, and all of you, a very special and happy Mother’s Day this year!

Are you looking for something special to do on Sunday afternoon? Here’s one idea:

The series was designed to bring the greatest music to the area in a setting where the music could be appreciated at no cost to the patron. From its beginning, the concert series operated on donations from an offering plate passed around the audience at the conclusion of the program. We are most grateful for the foresight and generosity of the community members who came before us to provide for our future enjoyment in the arts here in the Brazos Valley.