Mother's Day Card

This is the Mother's Day card I received from Timothy. He's the only one of the children that still gets to make Mother's Day gifts in school. How I miss those days with the other two. I always enjoyed getting their heartfelt, handmade gifts.

This card has a story about me written inside from Timothy's perspective. Reading it brought tears to my eyes.

(The words in bold are ones he had to fill in to finish the sentences.)

My Mom

My mom was born in Wisconsin. She weighed 90 oz pounds when she was born. Now she weighs 197 pounds. My mother is 36 years old. She likes to relax on Sundays. Her favorite animal is a cat. She can't stand noise. The only thing my mom does wrong is play vedeo games. She has __pairs of shoes. My mom has kissed me 88 times since I was born. She likes to call me Tim. I wouldn't trade my mother for a fat fuzz kitten.

I just love to see how their little minds work at that age. Everything seems so simple to them. There's no concept of size, time, or space. The part about the fat, fuzzy kitten is the best! To know that an animal lover like himself wouldn't trade me for that kitten means so much!

Happy Mother's Day to Me

I love Mother's Day! Even though you know your kids love you, they don't always say so. But today, one day out of the year, they go out of their way to show you how much they do.

Last night, after getting money from his grandparents, aunts, and uncles for his birthday, Tristan went to the store and came back with chrysanthemums and dahlias for me. The kids all know how much I love flowers, and these will go in my garden out back.

This morning, we had to go over to Mike's mother's house for lunch. The two youngest were already there, having spent the night there last night. When I got there, they had a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me and a wonderful, handmade card. They picked the flowers out themselves, and bought the ones they did because they "sparkle". "Mom loves sparkles," they said. They're right! I do!

Mike, bought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers with bright green dyed flowers highlighted with pinks and whites.

So, I sit here, posting in my blog, surrounded by flowers. They smell wonderful, and make me smile.

Every day should be Mother's Day!

In Honor of Mother's Day May 11th

My mother is my best friend. It hasn't always been this way. I can remember a time when I thought I hated my mother. I didn't think she knew what she was talking about, and she didn't know anything. I know better now, being a mother myself.

This just goes to show that you don't really appreciate the sacrifices a mother makes until you are in her shoes. The moment she becomes your mother, she puts your life before her own. She will do without to make sure you have everything you need and want. She loves you unconditionally, and you know she is always there for you.

This inspiring story is dedicated to my mother, and mothers everywhere.

A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:

For cutting the grass: $5.00

For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00

For going to the store for you: $.50

Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25

Taking out the garbage: $1.00

For getting a good report card: $5.00

For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00

Total owed: $14.75

Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he'd written on, and this is what she wrote:

For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me: No Charge

For all the nights that I've sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you: No Charge

For all the trying times, and all the tears that you've caused through the years: No Charge

For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead: No Charge

For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose: No Charge

Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is: No Charge.

When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, "Mom, I sure do love you." And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL".

Mom Deserves Jewelry

Have you gotten your mom a gift for Mother's Day yet? Mother's Day is May 11th, so if you haven't, you'd better start thinking about it!

If you don't know what to get her, and need a little help deciding, I have an idea. Moms love jewelry, especially jewelry that shows her love for her family. Why not get her a family birthstone necklace? At Reeds Jewelers (reeds.com), you can customize a pendant or ring to reflect everyone in the family. Your mom will be proud to show it off, and you'll have bought her the perfect gift!

To Inspire - Being A Mother

I thought it might be nice to include an inspiring story to take us into the weekend. With Mother's Day coming up, this story will get you thinking about that how special a mother is and how she should be appreciated, not just on Mother's Day, but every day.

Being A Mother-- Author Unknown

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you too, and she would love to spend some time with you."

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

"What's wrong, are you well?" she asked. My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news."I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up, I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting."

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entres, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips."It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation - nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home."Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVE YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time.”