It's May, which means it's the month of one of the most important holidays: Mother's Day, a day to celebrate that sacrificed so much just to bring you into this world. And while it's easy to simply send flowers and a card, maybe you could go the extra mile, and thank your mom for all of the little things that she did for you that went unnoticed, or you never thanked her for.
- She gave you life (or, if you were adopted, gave you a better chance at life).
- And she went through hours of pain and labor to give you life.
- She woke up at 3 am to feed you.
- Or change you.
- Or just to put you back to sleep because you woke her up with your crying.
- She taught you how to walk.
- And talk.
- And ride a bike.
- She held your hand (and maybe cried with you) at the doctor’s office while you got your shots.
- She always made sure that you had food on the table (even if times were tough).
- And made sure that every birthday and holiday was special.
- She did your laundry.
- She called the babysitter or nanny to make sure you were OK.
- She got you cool new school supplies so you showed up to the first day of school in style.
- And she made sure you looked sharp on the first day.
- And picture day.
- And any dress-up day, whether it was spirit day or pajama day.
- And if you were the kid that cried on the first day of kindergarten, she assured you that everything would be OK.
- She packed you lunch.
- And left notes of encouragement in your lunchbox.
- Sometimes she would even bring you lunch and eat with you.
- She sent food or gifts for all birthdays, holidays and teacher appreciation week.
- She let you go on all of the field trips.
- And even chaperoned so that she could spend time with you and your friends.
- When you scraped your knee or stubbed your toe, she doctored you up and calmed you down.
- She would take off work when you were sick.
- And make you chicken noodle soup, because that was the only acceptable sick food.
- She showed up to all of your soccer games, dance recitals, and school programs.
- And packed your bags and got you dressed for all of these events.
- And packed bomb snacks for everyone on the team.
- And if you lost the game or hit a wrong note in your solo, she reminded you how proud she was of you.
- She made you your favorite meals to make your day.
- And bought your favorite snacks at the store as a special treat, just because.
- She dropped you off at the mall and the movies to hang out with your friends when you were too old to have your mom tag along but too young to drive.
- She got you ready for your first date.
- And made sure she was ready with an excuse for you to leave if it went terribly.
- She dried your tears when you went through your first breakup.
- And made sure to remind you how much you were loved and how everything would be OK.
- She taught you how to drive.
- And trusted you enough to get your license and drive yourself places.
- And when you got into your first accident, her first concern was if you were OK.
- She got you ready for prom.
- And helped you pin your date’s boutonniere, or pick out the corsage.
- And took every picture you asked for so you could record your night.
- She stayed up worrying about you when you were out past curfew.
- She was the first to cry when you graduated preschool.
- And high school.
- And when she dropped you off at college.
- And even if she failed to do any of these things, you knew she still loved you
- Because no matter how old you are, or how much you grow apart, your mother was the first person who was part of your life, and nothing can change that.
