A love note for Mom

My favorite gift to receive on any occasion is a love note. It is not disposable. It won't wear out. It is something that I can go back to when I need a pick-me-up. I don't know anyone who doesn't like to hear they are loved and appreciated. They may be uncomfortable at the expression of affection, but deep down, it boosts them up to know someone cares about them.

I like to know I am valued. But I also like to know WHY. My psyche thrives knowing the specifics. It is positive reinforcement at its best. My love language is Words of Affirmation. That is why I love receiving gifts like this:

I know a love note is my Mom's favorite gift also. Maybe as we get older and "things" lose value, we realize that what gives us the greatest joy is our relationships. Knowing that our life has made a difference to someone. That is much more valuable than an Amazon gift card.

A few years ago, I posted a love letter to my Mom on my blog. It largely reflected on the past and how having her for a mother had shaped me. All of those things are still valid. This time I want to talk about what my Mom means to me today, at this time in my life. There are two solid things that stand out.

My Mom is interested in my life. She calls at least every week, often more. She wants to see how I'm doing, how I am bearing up my everyday burdens. She values my friendship enough that she calls me when she has exciting news to share. She asks for my opinion. She visits and sleeps in whatever bed we have for her, even if the clean sheets are still going in the dryer.

My Mom makes time to nurture relationships with each of my children. She makes the 3 hour trip to come to dance recitals and birthdays and sometimes just because the kids are missing Grammie. She takes an interest in each one of them, buying a new puzzle to do with Amelia, taking Mack to the Dinosaur Museum for the 6th? time, making a new Scottish recipe to celebrate Lily's completion of her World Day project. She talks to them on the phone. She sends notes in the mail periodically. My Mom is blessed to live within three hours of 3 of her 4 children, but she doesn't just make the effort because of the relatively close proximity. My oldest brother lives on the east coast and my Mom makes a trip out there at least once a year so that her far-away granddaughter knows that she is valued and loved and that her Grammie cares about having a relationship with her.  My children, and I suspect Mom's other grandchildren, have a sure knowledge that Grammie loves them.

 {World Day where Lily presented Scotland 5-08-2014}

 {Flowers after Amelia's last dance recital 4-18-2014}

{Sharing birthday wishes with Mack 12-28-2013}

I love you, Mom. Thank you for the gift of your time. It is precious.