Remember Mother's Kindness

Writing down what you are grateful for is a great exercise in appreciation and has a positive effect on your thinking. This acknowledgement is beneficial to both the giver and receiver. Today I started a gratitude list about my Mom in honor of Mother's Day. I've done this before, constructing a little booklet that I gave to her as a Mother's Day gift years ago. But today, this is a gift I'm giving to myself.

When I gave birth to my son, like many new moms, I relied on my mother to guide me through those first couple of weeks. When the time came for her to return home, my husband had to pry my fingers from the bumper of her car. I was terrified to take on this new role without her handholding. The feelings of love and fear were both tugging at my heartstrings on hormonal roller coaster frenzy. No other person could have understood my conflicting feelings and given me comfort like that of my own mother. Even into adulthood, a mother's instinctive kindness and nurturing continues to flow.

Motherhood is a life-changing event of giving and receiving. Remembering the kindness my mother showed to me taste as sweet as going through my son's baby book. I am grateful that this gift has now been passed down to me.

Remember Mother’s Day is this Sunday.