Priceless gifts for Mother's Day
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Sunday, May 11, is Mother's Day, and if you're lucky enough to have a mother still living, you should be thinking about what would be meaningful to her.
For many consecutive years I stood in the aisles at the nearby CVS or Walgreen's, welling up with tears while reading the greeting cards, alternating "funny and serious," at times making up my own words and singing them or mailing them or, in some cases, thrilling my mother by speaking them publicly.
Extras
My mother was my closest friend, my biggest fan and the rock I leaned on with regularity. Her love was like sunshine to me, and when I lost her in 2004, I thought I could not survive the grief. On Mother's Day of that year I was cleaning out her house, having just buried her two days before.
So you can understand why it is with some gratitude that I am able to even think much about Mother's Day, now that four years have passed. As a daughter for decades, and a mother for quite a bit less than that, in my own dear mother's memory, I would like to pass on to you a few gift ideas that cost very little, but would be considered priceless by most mothers.
Show up for her. More than a gift, more than a card and certainly more than a phone call, your mother wants to be with you. She would love to see you looking your best, not asking for anything and seeming like you really want to be with her.
Spend time with her and pay attention to her wants and needs. Serve her with gladness and alacrity. This assures Mom that she's done a good job with you.
If you cannot be with her, make your presence known in some creative way — through song, poetry or something else that is special to her. She will feel your presence, without the benefit of you showing up physically. Don't forget to tell her why you love her.
Get along for her. If you have siblings or more than one child, you know how much it means to your mother (or you) that you all get along. Nothing pleases her more than to see you behave nicely toward each other, laughing and finding things to talk and share about.
Let go of your resentments, your competitiveness and your litany of complaints, giving your mother the profound gift of peace and goodwill between brothers and sisters.
Forgive her. When you take hold of your own life, it should no longer matter that your mother isn't perfect. Forgiveness is an inner process, but how you show that forgiveness has taken place is a creative act. Think of something that will break the ice around both your hearts.
Hers was the first smile to welcome you into the world. The sweet memory of that moment lives forever inside you.
The Rev. Julie G. Olmsted is pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Miamisburg. Contact her at jgolmsted@woh.rr.com.
