This morning, I was thinking about my own mother and my former mother-in-law.  Both are very well loved women and they know that.  If your mother is still living and you really love her, I hope she knows that.

 

    A few years ago while on the phone with Mom, she revealed to me that she was never really sure she raised us the right way.  She said she did what she knew to do.  I reassured her that what she did was exactly right; that she did a remarkable job . . . especially since she did it after divorcing our father when I was only 8 years old. 

 

    Some months after that conversation, I sent Mom a note card with a painting by one of her favorite impressionist artists where I told her how much I love her and all she did to raise my sister and me.  I let her know I appreciate all she did and all she sacrificed to give us.   She called me when she received that card and I could “hear” the smile and sense the joy in her voice.  She was okay.  That was about 10 years ago.

 

    At Christmas, about 5 years ago, I gave her a crystal jar.  It is about 8″ tall and about 4″ wide.  When she unwrapped the paper and noticed a Princess House box, she commented on how she really didn’t know where she’d put whatever was inside the box because she still had crystal from years ago that was still in the original boxes and she pulls items out on an “as needed” basis.  I remained silent and merely smiled at the comment.  When she opened the box, she was overwhelmed.  There were small pink papers inside with words typed on each one (pink is her favorite color).  I had given her a “Memories Jar”.  On each slip of paper was a happy memory I had of events, moments, conversations with her that made me feel good as I was growing up and several from adulthood.  There were, also, words of wisdom from her as I became a mother, myself.  Any time she looks at that jar, she can be reminded of how much she positively influenced my life.  I don’t think she has any doubts now about how she raised us.  I believe Mona and I have done well in erasing any fears about that.

 

    Make a move to let someone know how much you love them, how much you appreciate them.  It doesn’t have to be your mother.  It can be anyone in your life; a friend, your doctor, a teacher, a coworker, a manager, your pastor, someone who works in the supermarket.  Giving them a handwritten note ensures they have something to look at later if they should need a “pick me up.”  Telling them is fine, but having something to look at later means so much more.