At some point in our lives, we all learn about Mother’s Day. Sometimes it’s Dad telling us what we are going to do for mom, when we go to the store together to find gifts. Then, maybe in school our teacher has each of us draw a picture, or make a clay handprint, or do something that we can take home to our mothers as our handmade gifts. It’s funny to see sometimes how long our childhood art “treasures?” remain on display in our family’s homes, long after they should, if we were judging based on their commercially artistic value.
But when a gift comes from the heart, a mother will remember it and treasure it forever. Today you may be fortunate enough to have your mother near you, at least near enough for a phone call or a visit. Perhaps you can take her out for lunch or dinner, and enjoy a day dedicated to making her feel as special as she should feel.
Moms are your first line of emergency care, armed with band-aids, salves, ointments and creams to cure whatever you fell on, or fell in, as a child. She’s there with tissues to dry your tears when your heart is broken, and she’s tall enough to reach into the refrigerator to find a popsicle to make sure your eyes remain free from those tears.
As we grow older, our loving voice that yells out “Mom!” we say cheerfully and excitedly when we get home from school, may turn into a heavier “Oh Mommmm,” in ten years, as she says something that makes us feel like a little kid and we think we’re all grown up. Through the years, our voice softens again to think of our mothers, and in our maturity, we realize that we may not always have our mothers “right there” any more to come over and see us. We may have to be the ones to go see them, and we begin a journey of limited time with them. Every hour spent grows more precious to us, as we eventually come to realize. We can’t have today back again.
And then there are those who are observing your first, second, or eleventh Mother’s Day without your mother right there with you. Every ad that comes on radio and television, every flyer and ad you see in print—all remind you that you don’t have your Mom this holiday. And it hurts. It’s the reminder that won’t go away, no matter how old we get or how strong we are.
If you’ve lost your mom, or your beloved grandmother, or aunt, any special friend who was a hero to you throughout your life, perhaps you know of a dear lady who is a mother, but perhaps has lost her only child, and she is missing that child more than ever this weekend. Perhaps together you can find comfort, whether it’s a phone call, a visit, a bouquet of flowers or a card that says “Thinking of you.” Mother’s Day—a day to share love and give thanks. Hoping your weekend is a good one. ~~ Cody
