One of my all time favorite books is “Are You My Mother?” by P.D. Eastman. I LOVE this book. It makes me happy. You should read it this weekend…

I think of the upcoming “holiday” and all of the strings attached to it. The obligations to send a card, to order flowers, to plan the day for Mom, to make the phone call… I remember the many years that Dad bought Mom a corsage to wear on Mother’s Day Sunday and seeing the pretty flower sitting in its package on the refrigerator shelf the night before, and the many years that elementary art projects were brought home special for Mom, and the mimeographed recipes from a class project that was a secret and surprise. I remember the years that my Mom acted so amazed and surprised at the silly little ways to honor her on Mother’s Day, and how she was always so careful to honor her Mom and mother-in-law. I remember a year when my girls made breakfast for me before church. I remember a year when I received a St. George cookbook with my daughter’s picture inside the front cover. I remember the years of handmade cards from one or both of my girls, saved almost forever in a box.

I also think of the heartache of the day. It isn’t such a beautiful thing sometimes.

Especially for the Moms who are far away from their loves, the heartbeats of their soul, their children.

Especially for the Moms who have experienced the unfathomable loss of a child.

Especially for the Moms who face difficulties with their children who are loved so much but are so unlovable.

Especially for the Moms who want to be Moms but have not been able to conceive…yet.

Especially for the Moms who are estranged from their children because of broken relationships.

Especially for the Moms who are wonderful Moms but receive no acknowledgment and are not given the honor they so deserve.

Especially for the Moms who face the day all alone, trying to forget what day it really is.

So, I am grateful that this year, I will once again spend my Mother’s Day with one of my girls and her family and grateful that I will have the privilege of being a Mom and Ama on Mother’s Day.