It should come as no surprise that I LOVE GETTING MAIL!!! Of course not bills, but letters, cards, and especially packages. It was well known in my house< growing up, that I committed to memory the sound of our local postal workers vehicle. Because of this I would know when the mail arrived. There was something about the anticipation of walking to the mailbox and prying open that federal door to see if a "little goody" awaited me. Ironically, I don't quite get the same satisfaction from email. Although I always enjoy receiving a personal one.
Now that I am older and home all day, I have also memorized the Fed Ex and UPS truck (I know right? I need another hobby). About a month ago I received a visit from one of these trucks! I was thrilled and surprised in regards to the unexpected visit. Lo and behold, a PACKAGE for me! YES!
I opened the wonderful piece of parcel and revealed the lovely arrangement photographed above. From Michael & my mother for Mother's Day. I loved everything about it. But it got me thinking...
For the last several years my mother has sent me Mother's Day presents. I love gifts, so that is not my complaint, but I kinda feel guilty that MY mother is sending ME Mother's Day presents!
Furthermore, these last couple of years I have felt Mother's Day is a bit impersonal: the 24hours that we the people tribute to the Mother's in our lives. I guess its something about everyone doing it at the same time that doesn't make it as meaningful to me. Which is weird, because I don't feel that way about Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter! Anyway, it may simply be that my epiphany emerges as I have become a mother myself.
In no way would I ever recommend we not pay tribute to our mothers on Mother's Day. As a matter of fact every Mother's Day, my poor husband has to hear me torte, "Every day should be Mother's Day". I can only imagine what he's thinking.
Along with my Mother's Day controversy I began examining why our parents call US on our birthdays (I'm just taking the holiday's by storm!). If you think about it, good ol' Mom and Dad are the reason we HAVE a BIRTH day. And from that special day they have sacrificed to raise us and give us the best within their powers. What do we need to celebrate? That they let us LIVE! Surely none of us is perfect--so I can only envision their birthday wishes to mean, "Happy Birthday little darling, you're so lucky you made it another day." All joking aside for a moment, I feel the ones that need to be celebrated are our parents.
And that is just what I did. This past birthday of mine, I called my mother and father. I shared my feelings of gratitude for selfless sacrifice and the blessings I feel they have been in my life. etc. etc. My birthday meant I was one year older and wiser too, but I would not deny that was the case because of the family I had in my life.
Everyone's situation is different. Some may not have had one or both parents as active members within their upbringing, but hopefully there is someone in our lives that we could look to (even if it was a bad example you've worked hard not to repeat) that have helped shape us into who we are as individuals.
May I suggest that we take a step back on our next birthday (and the many more to come), take a moment to contact the people that brought you into this world and/or made it possible for you to continue to learn and grow--and tell them how much they mean to you...how grateful you are for them. That my dear friends, is a much more personal "Mother's Day".
My son's version of eating a hot dog :)
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