With Mother's Day only a couple days away, I've been hearing and reading stories about the best and worst gifts to give a mother on her special day. On the list of 'bad gifts' were vacuum cleaners, a new washer/dryer, scented lotions/candles, and plants. Also on this list of big no-no's was household appliances, which is a good thing since my hubby has banned me from our kitchen in fear of me burning the house down. Ha! Apparently, all of the above mentioned gifts are 'evil' because they give us mommies 'extra' work in a round about way. (I have to admit though, a new washer/dryer would be nice... hehehe!) But, there are a few gifts that were worthy enough to be placed on the 'good gift' list. Day Spa certificates, movie tickets, take us out to dinner instead of us making it, and of course the obvious favorite, diamonds. These type of gifts help 'relieve' a mother from her daily chores/routine.
Now, what about the gifts we receive from our younger children? They obviously can't afford to 'buy' us gifts, and if they did, I'd seriously be playing 20 questions to find out where they got the money from! So instead, every year, we get those oh-so-cute handmade picture frames, plastic beaded ribbon necklaces, handprints with a nice sappy poem, and handwritten colorfully decorated letters on lined notebook paper. Don't get me wrong, I love getting these kinds of gifts from my kids, and I even go as far as save these wonderful gifts in a special container for future memories. BUT....
Here is MY personal Mother's Day Wish List:
1) For one whole week, I'd like my kids to have their homework finished before I come home from work.
2) One whole day ALONE at home...
3) A 1-hour foot massage. (Without the hubby hoping it will lead to a 'happy ending'!)
4) And finally, a clean house. (This includes doing laundry.)
My list is short, sweet, and simple. Yeah, right! You see, in my household, we do not live 'simple' lives. Time is a virtue, and to be honest, I would probably feel like I've 'fallen behind' on my normal chores if I were to 'do absolutely nothing for an entire day'! Ultimately, the best Mother's Day gift I could ever ask for, has already taken place, and will bring me joy until the day I die. My kids. In my opinion, Mother's Day is everyday, 365 days a year. (366 on leap years!) Our kids bring us joy and fear, love and pain, laughs and tears, and put us through endless emotional roller coaster rides. But at the end of every night, I go to bed smiling because I simply feel blessed to have them in my life. Every time I get hugs from them is Mother's Day for me!
Happy Mother's Day to ALL mother's out there! (Even if you're only a mother to four-legged furry kids!)
