Mothers! What can we say - They give up time, sleep, sometimes food; they shed tears. They run households, they attend meetings, meet with teachers, plan meals, baby-sit. Their days seem to never end. They’re at it day and night for such little reward, so on Mother’s Day we the recipients of their love, sacrifices and dedication, must rise to the occasion to say in some small way simply “Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for us.”
So I have been thinking – what do moms really want? In my opinion, flowers fade, the perfume evaporates, and that new dress eventually ends up on a rack at the Salvation Army store. Here are three gifts that I think will not be forgotten:
1. A card with a handwritten note. A card (handmade ones are the best) that says something specific and personal about why you are thankful for your mom.
One mother says – I have two sons Christopher and Jonathan – Christopher older by 11 years and very artistic gave me some amazing cards.  But one Mother's Day, when Jonathan was just a little boy, I opened a card that melted my heart. In big wobbly block letters, he printed:
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM. I KNOW MY CARD ISN'T AS GOOD AS TOPHER'S, BUT I TRIED JUST AS HARD. I LOVE YOU, JONATHAN. Priceless!
2. A long hug. A long hug. Let mom be the one to let go first!  And to you moms – when you get a hug, wrap your arms around them and don't let go until they do, and then hold them a bit longer. And if you don't get a hug from them, hug them anyway.
3. Verbalize your love. Look mom in the eyes, smile and say, "I love you. Thank you for being my mom." All moms wait for the day when our adult children come up to us at some point, wrap their arms around us and say, “I get it, Mom.” That’s why moms pray so much, and worry, and at times lose sleep at night. It is for that “aha” moment when our children realize we weren’t crazy and we weren’t the worrywarts they thought we were all along.
4. Time together is the greatest gift. You cannot imagine just how much you are able to love another human beings until you have a child (or two or three) of your own. The joy, the sorrow, the pride, the hair-raising moments, and the hope that is all rolled into the amazing unexpected journey you are on, from the moment you are handed that cuddly infant, to one day (by God’s grace) you behold them a lovely, admirable adult.
Happy Mother's Day!

“May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD.”

         -  Ruth 2:12