{"id":270,"date":"2011-05-02T05:46:48","date_gmt":"2011-05-02T09:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/?p=270"},"modified":"2011-05-01T18:40:18","modified_gmt":"2011-05-01T22:40:18","slug":"the-perfect-gift-for-mom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/05\/the-perfect-gift-for-mom.html","title":{"rendered":"The Perfect Gift for Mom"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Are you like me? \u00a0My email inbox, Facebook Wall and even today’s Twitter Timeline are full of messages telling me about “The Perfect Gift for Mom.” Frankly, I hope my children read and use a couple of \u00a0these suggestions.<\/p>\n

Even\u00a0BeliefNet<\/a> is promoting mother-friendly suggestions. \u00a0There is an aromatherapy kit which\u00a0appears to be formulated specifically for mothers. \u00a0Not sure what that means, unless these oils and herbs have the smell of Johnson’s baby talcum, topped with Vick’s Vapor Rub. \u00a0There is the ever-present, always-needed skin care kit to use after washing all those breakfast dishes and toilet bowls–hopefully not together. \u00a0My personal favorites are Republic of Tea’s yummy Pink Grapefruit Green Tea<\/em> and Sweet Earth Chocolate<\/em>. \u00a0Hopefully consumed together.<\/p>\n

There’s the iPad2 and smart phones galore. \u00a0Even earth-friendly floral bouquets delivered to her door. \u00a0You can send electronic cards and hard-backed books formatted, printed and sent specifically for Mother. \u00a0While the Mother’s Day fever is coming to a head as quickly as a teenager’s zit, most mothers are looking forward to gifts that really matter–golden slobbery kisses and silver hugs that last longer than a nano-second.<\/p>\n

Of course, almost every mother wants and appreciates gifts. \u00a0I’ve received two books designed and made for me with photos of my children and grandchildren. \u00a0I cherish them.<\/p>\n

In fact, I suggest that you NEVER forget to buy a Mother’s Day gift.<\/strong> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

My children and grandchildren are scattered all over the US, from Alaska to Hawaii to Virginia. \u00a0They are not able to be with us on Mother’s Day. \u00a0This year, one of my gifts was hand delivered; and it arrived early. \u00a0As I sit at my computer, I’m enjoying a stem of 9 cymbidium orchids. \u00a0The best part is that they are attached to the orchid plant. I can continue to enjoy the elegant, grassy-leaf foliage long after the blossoms are gone.<\/p>\n

In reality, the thing a mother will recall at the end of the year, won’t be the gift you give her (unless it’s chocolate or a very expensive gold necklace). It will be the tender words you share as the two of you linger at her front door at the end of the day. \u00a0It will be when you reach over and touch her hand for no reason at Sunday lunch. \u00a0She’ll cherish that knowing wink and delight in one-too-many “Thank you’s.”<\/p>\n

After being a mother for a few decades, my expectation of Mother’s Day has changed. \u00a0I want an early morning call from one of our children and another one in the afternoon after church. \u00a0A greeting on FaceBook or a text message is a delight from our almost-adult grandchild.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Additionally, because I’m the area director of The Special Gathering, a ministry within the intellectually disabled community, the Lord has blessed me with some wonderful friends who have special needs. \u00a0Some of them will come to church with computer-generated Birthday cards for me. \u00a0Because they don’t read, they think it’s a Mother’s Day greeting. \u00a0Others will have small tokens or gifts that they purchased from the dollar store or local CVS Drugstore. \u00a0Together we will smile appreciating their gifts.<\/p>\n

Their enthusiasm will escape into my heart and smear love all over my day. \u00a0It will be a good day. \u00a0After all, love is the reason for Mother’s Day, especially if your children are living godly, productive lives and they’ve scattered themselves all over the world.<\/p>\n

Photo: \u00a0Young Mother with Child by epSos.de<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Are you like me? \u00a0My email inbox, Facebook Wall and even today’s Twitter Timeline are full of messages telling me about “The Perfect Gift for Mom.” Frankly, I hope my children read and use a couple of \u00a0these suggestions. Even\u00a0BeliefNet is promoting mother-friendly suggestions. \u00a0There is an aromatherapy kit which\u00a0appears to be formulated specifically for…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":387,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,5,20,3,40,10,16,28,67,12],"tags":[690,21,688,696,7,699,701,694,689,68,69,692,700],"class_list":["post-270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autism-spectrum","category-christianity","category-church","category-developmental-disabilities","category-faith","category-inspirational","category-intellectual-disability","category-mentally-challenged","category-mothers-day","category-religion","tag-autism-spectrum","tag-christian","tag-christianity","tag-church","tag-developmental-disabilities-2","tag-faith","tag-inspiration","tag-intellectual-disability","tag-mentally-challenged-community","tag-mothers-day-gifts","tag-mothers","tag-religion","tag-spirituality"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Perfect Gift for Mom - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Perfect Gift for Mom - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Are you like me? \u00a0My email inbox, Facebook Wall and even today’s Twitter Timeline are full of messages telling me about “The Perfect Gift for Mom.” Frankly, I hope my children read and use a couple of \u00a0these suggestions. 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