My two oldest girls went to camp, so I thought what a great time to take my youngest daughter to visit my mother. My mother is the caretaker to my 92 year old grandmother, my father's mother, and doesn't get out as much as she would like.
We had a great visit. We went to the water slide park and ice skating. Yes, you heard me right my mother still does the fun crazy stuff. You should see her on a wave runner. That's one of the qualities I love most about her. We really had great quality time. That is until she broke her leg.
Everyone keeps telling her she's too old to be doing that kind of stuff. Her response is "your only old, when you decide your too old to live! And I have a lot of living left to do."
While I was helping her out, I came across a gift I gave her for Mother's day a few years back. I couldn't decide what to give her, but I knew she was going through a hard time. Then, it hit me. A jar memories and appreciation.
I found a jar in the pantry that would work great. Really, any jar will work. You could even clean out a condiment jar, remove the sticker, and paint the lid.
I found some cute glitter letter stickers for the word Mom, and some paper flower stickers for embellishments. Originally, I had put about 5 different ribbons tied around the lid, but they have since been lost. You could decorate the jar to match her bedroom.
Then, I found matching paper in a few different prints. I started writing down childhood memories, stupid funny stuff she does, and notes of her good qualities. You could type them, but handwritten is more personable. I started each one out with "My mom.....".
Apparently she loves it, because when I picked it up my dad told me to be careful with it, that she reads it almost daily. Sometimes, she'll sit and read them all, and if she needs a quick pick me up, she'll just read a few.
I think being a mother is the most important job in the world, but it's also the most taken for granted. There's no "employee the month" award for stay at home mom's and caregivers. Sometimes all someone wants is just acknowledgement that what they do matters and is appreciated. So, even you don't make a jar for your mom, send her a little note or text that just says "thanks Mom, for all you've done for me, I really appreciate you!" Those words will mean so much, especially if it's just out of the blue for no reason. Just like flowers from your significant other mean the most on the "just because" occasions.
These are a few of the less personal ones to give you an example. Sometimes, it's just a silly memory that is like a private joke between you and your mom. What she loved most was all the memories we shared together, no matter how big or small. Especially, the fact that I remembered some of these things at all.
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| "I like Big Butts" by Sir Mix a Lot |
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| I included this, because my grandmother never allowed my mother to. |
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My mom doesn't like to drive on the freeway, especially if she doesn't know the route.
Girls camp was a few hours away, so this was a big deal and I really appreciated her driving.
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Hope your Mom likes it as much as mine did!
We'd love to hear what your Mom thought, leave us a comment!
