Oh Mother’s Day. From the triumphant looks on our kids’ faces as they “surprise” us with breakfast in bed, handmade cards and personalized trinkets, to the panicked look on a husband’s face when he suddenly remembers, all too late, what day it is, there is always a funny story to share with our friends when the day is over.
Whether you are celebrated with roses, sent to the spa or just loved a little more by your kids, Mother’s Day is a lovely Hallmark holiday (no disrespect to Hallmark of course! I just spent a whole bunch of time and money finding the most appropriate cards for all the mother figures in our family, and I thank them for all the options) – and a good kick in the pants to remind us to honor and celebrate our mothers, grandmothers and honorary mother figures.
Personal celebrations aside, there are countless ways for us to make Mother’s Day more meaningful to others. Mother’s Day can be a time to engage your kids, your parents and your friends to be more thoughtful about those mothers who may not normally have a chance to be celebrated.
This year on Mother’s Day, I hope you’ll consider:
• Visiting a senior citizen assisted living facility
• Volunteering at or donating to a battered women’s shelter
• Writing a letter or sending a package to mothers serving in the armed forces
• Running a clothing drive for your local women’s shelter
• Educating yourself on the scourge of obstetric fistula, a preventable malady that continues to plague women in the developing world
• Contributing to organizations that support victims of domestic violence, breast cancer awareness, job creation or women’s health in the developing world.
These are, of course, efforts you can engage in all year round. You may not have time to participate in any of these projects on Mother’s Day – but what better day to start thinking about all the ways you can effect change? Let this Mother’s Day serve as a helpful reminder to think of those mothers who are less fortunate than many of us.
So my friends, enjoy your Mother’s Day – and when you get a bit of down time, ask yourselves: How can I make this Mother’s Day more meaningful, celebrating not only my own family, but mothers and their families worldwide?
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