Think back. Do you remember the first gift you gave her for Mother’s Day?
Perhaps you surprised your mom with a cheerful crayon drawing. It felt so good to see her proudly display your artwork on the refrigerator door.
Maybe you presented her with a dandelion bouquet foraged from the backyard. She helped you transform the ragtag flowers into a pretty arrangement for the dinner table.
When we were children, we thrived in the glow of that unconditional love. No other bond compares to the one between mother and child. For some of us, it may have been a little complicated.
We have to acknowledge that not everyone is blessed with caring parents. There are those of us who were raised by other family members or adopted by someone special.
Regardless of how it all came about, we look forward to celebrating Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. This is the day to honor the women who taught us how to behave ourselves.
We appreciate them for being such amazing role models. They deserve our deepest thanks for making us who we are today. We’ve outgrown crayon drawings and dandelion bouquets, but we owe our moms so much.
Mothers, around the world, insist that their children don’t owe them anything. Raising us, teaching us and helping us be our best are simply things that parents do. Those of us with kids of our own would certainly agree. Still, we want to give our moms a special gift on their special day.
This year, bask in her smile as she remembers the days when you both were so much younger. Instead of the crayon drawing, frame a handwritten note about how you’ve made a contribution in her name to her favorite charity or cause. Laugh with her about those dandelions while you freshen up her garden by planting new flowers.
If you’re on the receiving end of this lovely day, embrace the joy and pride that comes with your child’s present. Be thankful for the knowledge that this bond will live forever in both your hearts.
Whether you give or receive, you know that Mother’s Day celebrates the ultimate gift: the unconditional love you took for granted then and hold so precious now. No matter how many presents we remember, this is the one that counts the most. This is the gift that will always sustain us.
