Mom’s the Word

 When I began this blog 4 years ago, this was one of the first posts I wrote. As we approach Mother’s Day this weekend, I thought it was worth a re-post with a few updates.  

May 6, 2013:

We don’t need a calendar to know it’s Mother’s Day this weekend. The media have been attempting to sell us on Mother’s Day pretty much since the Easter Bunny dropped his treasures and moved back to the woods for another year.

The media suggests that we need to buy that special something in order to demonstrate how much we love our Mom. From cards to flowers, gift cards to diamonds, the sky’s the limit.

On my drive into work this morning I heard an ad claiming that, by buying your Mom a diamond necklace, she will know how much she is loved, because it will be a daily reminder close to her heart of her children’s love. What an utter load of nonsense. Now don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against diamonds, but I certainly don’t need my children to buy them for me to be convinced of their love. (insert a sigh of relief from my children here)

I can’t speak for everyone, but I am pretty sure most mothers don’t need diamonds to be convinced their children love them.  A simple hug will do. Regardless of how hold your children are, there is no feeling in the world that compares to your children wrapping their arms around you and saying “I love you Mom”.

I am just one mother, but I am happy to share my perspective for all of you racking your brains this week, trying to figure out what to do or get for your mother on Sunday.

The answer is simple…give her the gift of time.  Time means different things to mothers depending on what stage of being a mom you are at.

Early days of motherhood.

When I was a young mom, there could have been no greater gift than someone giving me some “me” time.

When you are a young mom, there is no “me” time, or certainly none that you don’t feel guilty about taking.

A young mom rarely has a moment to herself & the thought of just having an hour or two to call your very own is like being given a tiny piece of heaven.

Alternatively, for us “older” moms, time with our children has taken on a whole new meaning; there is never enough time spent with our grown children.

I have two beautiful grown children, their two wonderful spouses & now a precious granddaughter.  There is nothing I treasure more, than just having the opportunity to spend time with them.

Me & LAM checking out a micro brewery. I think she likes this one!

Celebrating your Mom should not just take place on a Sunday in May.

Our moms deserve to be showered with love throughout the year for everything that they do for us & the love that they have so willingly lavished on us from the moment that we arrived into their lives.

I would ask you to pause for just a moment or two & think about what your Mom has meant in your life. I invite you to ask any person who no longer has their mom, what they miss most about her.

I guarantee you it won’t be about how a “mother’s day” was spent with her.

A vintage shot of me showing my Mom some love!

Most will tell you how much they miss their mom, hearing her voice, her laughter, her unwavering support, her guidance or her never-ending sense of when you need a simple hug to make the stresses of life melt away.

No diamonds involved.

So I encourage you to stop fretting about some material bobble to present to your Mom on Sunday. Trust me when I tell you, the most beautiful gift you can share with your mother, is simply the gift of you.

Take a moment to visit, to call & try the words, “Thanks Mom, I love you!”

The only diamonds you will see will be the ones sparkling in her eyes by you simply uttering those words to her.

Wishing you a beautiful Mother’s Day.

I love you Mom!

Hugs,

L♥