Today take a moment for yourself. Have a cup of tea or sit out in the sun. Give yourself a hug and allow yourself a smile. And then accept the thank you’s big and small being showered upon you. Whether it be a flowering little beauty that was grown in the classroom by your little gardener, a handmade masterpiece of crayon and construction paper complete with misspellings and letters written backwards, a gloriously messy breakfast spread, or perhaps some other treasure wrapped up in a box and topped with a bow… These are their expressions of a profound love for all that you are to them and all the things you do.

That is no small thing. You hush away their nightmares and usher their dreams into the realm of possibility. Cheering them along through all their endeavors, applauding them for taking the chance, instilling in them the value of the experience. You kiss away their boo-boos and hold them while they weather heartache. You’ve got their backs, providing them with order and structure so that they can better navigate the world with all your thoughtful signposts and lessons for the young traveler. You give them the tools of gratitude, appreciation and respect so that they can see the worth of the simplest thing or gesture, opening their eyes to all the wonderful things life has to offer.

You indulge them too. Delighting together on the floor with a jigsaw puzzle. Outside on the grass in a game of hide-and-seek. Over bowls of ice cream and knock-knock jokes. Reading a story and doing all the silly voices. Surprising them on a random afternoon with a store-bought goody they’ve had their eye on. Turning up the volume and dancing with them, cutting that living room rug. That’s the stuff, showing them the magic of creating all kinds of happy memories.

Make no small account of your courage. From the moment that little baby is born into the universe and claims you as their mommy, you begin the emotional process of letting go. You let them find their legs and sort out their place on the planet. You do this even though every speck of you screams to hold on tight.

But most of all, the culmination of all your good work is the loving human beings you help them become. You show them all the ways in which to express love. Be it how you sing to them at bedtime, help them with their homework, hold their hands while crossing the street, cook their favorite meals, and the way you smile at them first thing every morning.

You are their everything.

Celebrate. You so deserve it.

Have a beautiful and Happy Mother’s Day.

Our very warmest regards,

Doris and Heather

Advertisement