On Tuesdays, I share my thoughts on Family Life.

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.  ~ Jewish Proverb

By now, if you’re a dutiful son or daughter, you’ve circled Sunday’s date on your calendar and made plans to celebrate the day in the company of your mother.  If you are an attentive father, you’ve assembled the kids secretly and used recycled toilet paper rolls to craft a lovely surprise for the mother of your children.  If you’re a mother, you know neither of these statements are true and have spent the week reminding yourself that Mother’s day is simply another day on the calendar.

Although I would never want to reinforce the materialistic nature of a holiday that has become yet another Hallmark moment, I do think Mother’s Day is an important time to pause and give thanks for the special women in our lives.  When it was officially instituted by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914, Mother’s Day was intended as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war.  It has become a day to honor and give thanks to women who selflessly give their lives to nurture families.  I would argue that many women who have never given birth are "spiritual mothers" in the sense that through the love and compassion they share , they are changing lives.

This Mother’s Day, look around you and pause to express your appreciation to the mothers in your life.  Most mothers I know would appreciate the gift of your time and presence far more than an impersonal token sent overnight by Fedex.   Treat Mom to a day without cooking.  Pour a hot bathtub for her filled with bubbles and surrounded by candles and give her two hours of peace.  Let her go to her favorite bookstore and look at the books she wants to read for an hour rather than chasing toddlers in the children’s section.  Mop her floor and wash her car.  Go with her to church on Sunday and prepare a special meal afterwards - even if it’s toast and cereal!  If you can’t be physically present, take time TODAY to write and mail a heart felt letter expressing your love and gratitude.

To all my readers who are mothers, whether in the spiritual or physical sense, may God bless each of you for the role you play in making our world a better place!

Best of the Blogs:
(recent blog posts related to the topic of Family Life)

• Easily De-seed Your Watermelon
• Helping the Family to Get Things Done
• Declare "Laundry Bankruptcy" to Get Clothes Under Control
• Seven Common Cooking Mistakes to Avoid

Home-work for Today:

• Make arrangements today to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11.

On the Bookshelf:

• I Like Noisy Mom Likes Quiet: A Mother’s Day Story