My husband called me earlier this week worried because he was asked to be in Wisconsin early Monday morning which would mean leaving Oregon early Sunday afternoon – Mother’s Day. I told him not to worry, book the flight. He still seemed concerned so I relate this story:
My mother loves surprises. My dad loves practicality. The year I was 12 my father bought my mother a mug for Christmas. He wrapped it by placing it in the center of a square of wrapping paper and shoving the corners into the mug. One look and you knew what it was. Us kids kept trying to get my mom to look at the gift to “guess” what it was. She would laugh and tell us she wanted to wait until Christmas morning. Christmas afternoon we went to Grandma C’s (mom’s mom). Grandma asked what we had gotten for Christmas. One of us kids started telling Grandma about the mug. Mid-story Grandma excused herself and took my mother out of the room. They returned shortly and we continued our visit. That night I asked my mother why Grandma had taken her to another room. Mom said that Grandma had given her $100 and told her to buy herself “a real Christmas”. My mom said that she declined the money and told Grandma that the gifts of love, respect, kindness, patience and selfless service that my father gave my mother every day out-weighed any gift money could buy.
My mother gave me a lasting gift that Christmas – an understanding of what really matters. Mother’s Day is a great day to honor the mothers in our lives, I’m grateful my husband recognizes that. I’m even more grateful that he honors me the way my father honors my mother day in and day out.