HEY MOM....I LOVE YOU!! { NAN TOO!}

For years, as a grown child and only child, I would ponder the perfect gift for my mom. I would shop and change my mind a hundred times. Until recently, when we decided no more purchased gifts...especially on Mother's Day.

A sigh of relief could be heard echoing through the mountains from my Four Grown Kids.

I have always appreciated those wonderfully creative projects the kids would excitedly rush home to me. The Pet Rock painted to look like a lady bug, the card with pressed dried flowers and those fantastic poems written by my very own offspring. What a true joy!

I remember as a teen, I bought my mom a gold necklace using all my babysitting monies. With it, I included a handmade card using dried herbs from her garden and inside was a poem I wrote for her. She loved the necklace but that card is still on her mantle all faded and worn.

I also remember going to the Mall with mom and really not wanting to. Afraid my friends would see me with my mom was far from cool...and after all, I didn't want to wreck my image, I would quickly dart in and out of stores looking around like some Russian spy. It was tiresome. But mom loved it. She talked about it with all her mom friends." Hey, my daughter went to the Mall with me Saturday and we had such a great time. Can't wait for next week!" 

As I grew older I moved numerous times and not always close by. I had my own family and little time for mom with school and work and the kids. We hardly had tea together much less a day at the Mall! But I knew in my heart she missed all those times we spent together. I knew!

And the same went for my grandmother, Nan. We spent hours on end when I was growing up, drinking coffee in her kitchen or eating those fantastic old school meatballs and spaghetti while discussing world news. I did try my best to spend time with her, even with busy schedules, but as time flew by, it was the same story as with mom. Very little time left for the ones I loved and needed to spend time with.

   So.. if you are a grown child try something old. .not new this Mothers Day....no. I'm not suggesting painted rocks and art projects, unless you want to do that.....I'm suggesting giving mom some time with you. Special time that she truly looks forward to.

How about a picnic at the park or a day at the beach...just you and mom? * What about a movie and some lunch or go to her place and cook one of her favorite meals and watch a great DVD together... popcorn and all.

You don't need to break out the credit card because its time spent with her child she wants, not your impressive gift from some designer.. If you are so inclined to have funds, then take a trip with mom, somewhere fun and her choice. Or go to lunch or dinner at that fancy restaurant she loves but won't splurge to go to.

Years ago, I sat down and wrote a special poem for my Nan and for mom. I really put my heart into it and for old times sake I even pasted on a dried flower to the front. Well, you would have thought each of them won the state lottery! For years afterward everyone was told the story of the dried flower poem cards even though it was repeated a thousand times. 

I guess what I'm advising..suggesting..is please spend TIME with and on your mom, Grandmom, aunt, sister, whomever is a mom that you cherish. Time does really slip away quicker than you realize.

Nan isn't here with me in body anymore, so we share our Mother's Day in spirit. I laugh at a movie she loved, eat some food she adored and the whole family gets to tell their"NaN" stories. She was quite a character! 

My mom IS still here, very here! I don't waste time wishing I spend time with her, I do! I call her at least 3x a week, and let her tell me each time how the mailman delivered the wrong mail or how beautiful the roses are. Who cares?It's the fact that we are in touch with each other. .not just on Mother's Day, but every week of the year, that counts.

This Sunday, I can't be with mom due to illness, but we already planned for next week. A day at the beach, late lunch at her favorite Chinese restaurant and some time watching The Out of Towners ( original version with Jack Lemmon)her all time favorite movie! Just her and me. Time is what she wants. .and strangely enough, that' what I want also! Namaste!!

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