Happy Mother's Day

"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,
"A word that means the world to me.- Howard Johnson.

On the second Sunday every May we stop for a few minutes to recognize our mothers.

When I was a child I made cards and gifts in school, at church, and at Camp Fire Girls to proudly present to my mother. Necklaces of macaroni, dyed blue (her favorite color), cards decorated with lace and flowers and a handwritten sentiment were bestowed upon her.

That Sunday at church you were handed a carnation when you walked into the sanctuary: a pink carnation if your mother was living, and a white one if she had passed on. During the service the pastor would take time to remember mothers: corsages were presented to the youngest mother (I won this one year at age 19, a few months after my first son was born), the oldest mother, and the mother with the most children in attendance.

My mother turned eighty earlier this year. If you, too, are fortunate to still have your mother living, make time for her this Mother's Day. Drop her a card, call her, send her a gift, or perhaps the best of all, send her a letter telling her why she is important to you and how much you love her.

If your mother has passed on, take a few quiet moments to remember her.

Heck, while you're at it, take time to remember all of the women in your life, not just your mother, but your grandmother, daughter, sister or aunt.

And while you're at it, say a little thank you for your girlfriends, too.

You'll be glad you did!