I wish I could tell you that I am a better person than I woke up to be this morning. But I’ll write off the downward tug I felt to the false expectations created by Hallmark. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only mother who felt a little set up by the hollow, commercial felicitations! With my kids grown and scattered, I confess a twinge of something like, “they’re too busy…they don’t need me anymore…I’ll just spend the day alone….” (NONE of which is true, by the way, or remotely related to the facts of how my day went!) But there was a tiny niggling for me to step to a very dark place… when SUDDENLY, I knew what I needed to do for myself as I heard my mother’s voice encouraging me to make a Gratitude List. Sort of an odd voice since my mom has been dead almost 20 years. Nonetheless, she could not be ignored so I decided to begin with a list of things I’m grateful my mother taught me; then a list of things I’m glad my mother-in-law taught me and if there’s paper left in the world, then finally a list of what I’m grateful each of my kids has taught me. I won’t belabor you with each of these lists but share here the first one hoping you’ll be encouraged to consider what you’re grateful your mom brought to your life.

I’m grateful that my mother

• was doing her quiet time each day when I woke up
• often had dirt or bread dough under her fingernails
• lived within her budget and didn’t feel compelled to buy me the latest shoes/purse/car/anything
• did not lament growing older, growing gray, becoming wrinkled
• loved to learn, loved to read
• went to Bible study, had deep lifelong friends who supported her spiritually
• had little use for “feeling sorry for yourself (or herself)”
• refashioned her life after breast cancer (twice) and widowhood
• didn’t put much value on her appearance
• had fresh flowers on our table
• made dinner practically every night
• loved sitting on the floor with little kids, especially mine
• found meaningful volunteer work in which to immerse herself after we grew up
• made dinners for shut-ins and had us deliver them
• stepped in alongside or behind me to strengthen me when I needed it but…
• did NOT try to determine my life path and did not use my mistakes to flog me

The lists could go on and on…and far from the earlier “ain’t it awful” stance, I find myself basking in the wealth of blessings motherhood, mine and others, has brought me. May you have many blessed “mothers days!” How about beginning now by starting your Gratitude List?