Honoring Mom On Mother’s Day

It's Mother's Day weekend. If your Mom is still with you, it's a time to honor her and to show her how much you love her.

It's funny how your perspective on everything can change when you lose a parent. We lost my Dad this past October, and with that loss my sister and I were immediately responsible for the care of my Mom. She is 78 years old now and has some issues with short term memory.

We hired a part time caregiver and tried to see if Mom could continue to live in her home. After about two weeks, she herself made the decision that she could not. She hasn't driven a car in well over ten years, and she ended up being afraid to be alone in her own home without Dad there.

We made the decision together that she would move into a retirement community that offered assisted living services. That was Thanksgiving weekend of 2010.

It was a great decision for our family with all things considered. And that perspective I was talking about earlier is even more sharp today. I treasure the fact that I still have my Mom.  My sister and I make sure that she has everything we can possibly give her, whether it is our frequent visits, shopping trips, doctor appointments, or the simple act of telling her how much we love her every time we see her.

This Mother's Day is special because, as a family, we realize just how important our bonds with each other really are. I guess we've always known that, but it's so defined now.

My Mom has always been the quintessential, traditional 'Mom'.  She cooked, cared for, loved, guided, and raised us to be responsible adults and good people. Sometimes we don't live up to those goals, but we sure know what they are.

If your Mom is not living, this weekend is a time of reflection, and hopefully some fond reminiscences with other family members. And if you've got your Mom, make sure you tell her .....and show her how much she means to you, not just on Mother's day, but EVERY day.