What annoys me about Mother’s Day is, first and foremost, the way it has been taken over by commercialism. TVs and catalogues run ads like ‘buy Mom a diamond ring or pendant, a washing machine,’ etc – the assumption being that the more money is spent on the gift, the more we value Mom. Rubbish! Two of my most treasured gifts are 3 paperbacks and a hand made bracelet.
My son made the bracelet of red, white and green clay around thirty years ago. Like his mother he’s not the most adept person when it comes to crafts, so anything he did make was doubly precious. The bracelet was misshapen and not quite circular. Did I care? Not a bit! I proudly wore it out, because my son took the time and effort to make it for me. It was made with love.
The second gift of three paperbacks came from my young daughter. As a child she was not a reader but she knew Mom was, so when she saw three books among the soaps, perfumes and coat hangers etc on a Mother’s Day stall at school she pounced on them, thinking how pleased I would be.
They were three Mills and Boons romances. Now I’ve never been a reader of romance novels but how could I not appreciate the thought and love behind the gift? Yes, I still have them. Could I ever throw them out? No way! Like the hand made bracelet, they are special because they were given with thought and love. Believe it or not, I’m tearing up even as I write. I did say I’m a sook around Mother’s Day.
Another thing that annoys me is the assumption that the husband should buy his wife a gift for Mother’s Day. Why? She’s not his mother. It’s Mother’s Day not Wife’s Day.
I love it when my husband puts thought into a gift for anniversary or birthday or for no special reason, but Mother’s Day? No way! It’s just another way commercialism has shanghaied what was meant to be an expression of love and way of honoring Moms. Instead, my husband used to take our kids shopping for a small gift for Mother’s Day. But they always chose it, with sometimes a bit of guidance, unless like the Mother’s Day stall he wasn’t around. Or they gave me hand-made gifts and cards.
Similarly I have never bought him a gift for Father’s Day. He’s not my father. Our aim has always been to keep Mother’s Day and Father’s Day as I believe they were originally intended and not hi-jacked by commercialism and greed.
As for breakfast in bed, I could think of nothing worse. Bed to me is for sleep, making love and cuddles, not for eating. I think of all the crumbs and how I would never seem to be able ot get them all out. No thanks!
I’d rather my family showed me they loved me in simple ways,not just on Mother’s Day but throughout the year. It might be a phone call or surprise visit. One of the most important things I value with my adult son and daughter is I know they pray for their Dad and me, not just on special days, not just when we’re sick or when times are tough but on a regular basis.
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