The purpose of Mother’s Day is to express love, appreciation, and gratitude towards mothers and mother figures for their unconditional love, support and sacrifices.

The number one gift requested by mothers is updated family photos. The grandchildren change so much from year to year that it delights me to get a recent one. Last year, Rosie was missing her two front teeth, but this year she sports a beautiful, shiny smile in all of its glory.  While I can scrounge through Facebook for family pictures posted, it is much more meaningful to be presented with a small, framed family portrait with all family members instead of having one parent missing from the scenario because he/she is behind the camera taking the picture.

A handwritten Mother’s Day card is always appreciated. Granddaughter Lizzy, age ten, draws great cards.  I stand tall and slim with distinguished gray hair and bright red lipstick as she stands besides me holding my hand.  In a speech bubble, pseudo-Lizzy says “I love you, Mimi.  I love to go to the movies with you and share popcorn.  You hug me and make me feel loved. You are the best Mimi ever!”

Other, personalized gifts warm my heart.  My children give me my favorite candy, Swedish Fish, in bulk loads to last from one year to the next.

One catchy slogan is “Give Your Mom the Gift of Time Together. Time Together, the Most Precious Gift of all”.  Hubby makes sure to honor his own mom with lunch out.  With our busy lives, taking time to get together, in person and not on video phone from a distance, is precious and meaningful. Younger moms who are still dealing with young children, may not appreciate it as much, but for us older moms, it is priceless.  It means that for that one day, we are honored.

One of the most meaningful gifts that is often overlooked is a simple “I love you, Mom”. If accompanied by a hug, it is all the more special.

A simple picture endowed with daisies that says “If moms were flowers, I’d pick you” demonstrates how a simple saying can have maximum effect. For my own mom, now deceased, I would love a plaque saying “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my mother.” It is such a true statement. My suggestion is to take the effort to honor mothers while they are alive, because all too soon, they will not be. Make happy Mother’s Day memories now!