“To the world, you are a mother, but to your family, you are the world.” —Author Unknown
The second Sunday of every May – oh what a beautiful day it is. It’s the day that the calendar tells us we get to celebrate a certain woman. The woman that has been there from the start. The woman that would trade places with you in a second if you were in harms way. The woman who would do literally anything for you. The woman that gave you the best gift of your life…life itself. But why just one day. There are 364 more days in the year. Why just one? I’d like to invite you to join me in a month-long celebration of that woman – the one that has dedicated her life to ensuring your life is the best it can be – your mom (or your step-mom, or your mother-in-law, or your grandma, or your foster mom, or whoever is “mom” to you).
We all have a special place in our hearts for the woman that we call mom. For me, that place in my heart is immense. My mom is one of two of my life role models (my dad being the other). She has taught me what it means to love unconditionally, to respect completely and to live with compassion. She has been by my side during every challenge and struggle I have faced over the course of my life. She is one of the most selfless people I have ever known. She is the one that taught me, perhaps without even knowing it, what it means to be grateful.
Ah yes…being grateful. It’s something that I’ve thought a lot about over the last few years. In fact, it’s what The Gratitude Spark is all about – viewing life through the lens of gratitude. Luckily for me, that’s one of the lenses through which I see my mom. I am grateful for everything about her – for her dedication, for her selflessness and for her approach to life. I’m grateful for the life lessons she’s taught me, for the connection she cultivated in our family and for the sacrifices she has made for me so many times over the course of my life. I’m grateful for the walks we’ve taken, for the phone conversations we’ve had and the text messages we send on virtually a daily basis. Most of all, I’m grateful for time – time talking to her, for time learning from her and for time spent with her. For me, she is the definition of how I approach gratitude in my life.
I know I’m not alone with those types of thoughts. I have no doubt that you have stories and memories of how your mom impacted your life in the most beautiful and amazing way. So, doesn’t it make sense to honor this woman for more than just one day a year? The answer to that is a resounding yes! If you’re with me on this, let’s make this more than just Mother’s Day – let’s make this “Mother’s Month”. Let’s take the opportunity to shower the moms in our life with love and gratitude each and every day for the rest of May (don’t worry dads – your month is coming in June). Every day, let her know how much you appreciate her for all she has done for you. I think a phone call to let her know how grateful you are that you get to call her mom will simply make her day. Perhaps some unexpected flowers delivered to her home might put a smile on her face. I kind of suspect a hand-written note telling her how much you love her will warm her heart. There is so much to be grateful for when it comes to the woman that gave you life. Whatever it is…whatever that expression of gratitude might be, don’t let it slide. Because, to the world, she is your mother, but to you, she is your world.