When you came into the world, she held you in her arms. You thanked
her by wailing1) like a banshee2).
When you were 1 year old, she fed you and bathed you. You thanked
her by crying all night long.
When you were 2 years old, she taught you to walk. You thanked her
by running away when she called.
When you were 3 years old, she made all your meals with love. You
thanked her by tossing your plate on the floor.
When you were 4 years old, she gave you some crayons3). You thanked
her by coloring the dining room table.
When you were 5 years old, she dressed you for the holidays. You
thanked her by plopping4) into the nearest pile of mud.
When you were 6 years old, she walked you to school. You thanked her
by screaming, "I'M NOT GOING!"
When you were 7 years old, she bought you a baseball. You thanked
her by throwing it through the next-door-neighbor's window.
When you were 8 years old, she handed you an ice cream. You thanked
her by dripping it all over your lap.
When you were 9 years old, she paid for piano lessons. You thanked
her by never even bothering to practice.
When you were 10 years old, she drove you all day, from soccer to
gymnastics to one birthday party after another. You thanked her by
jumping out of the car and never looking back.
When you were 11 years old, she took you and your friends to the
movies. You thanked her by asking to sit in a different row.
When you were 12 years old, she warned you not to watch certain TV
shows. You thanked her by waiting until she left the house.
Those Teenage Years
When you were 13, she suggested a haircut that was becoming5). You
thanked her by telling her she had no taste.
When you were 14, she paid for a month away at summer camp. You
thanked her by forgetting to write a single letter.
When you were 15, she came home from work, looking for a hug. You
thanked her by having your bedroom door locked.
When you were 16, she taught you how to drive her car. You thanked
her by taking it every chance you could.
When you were 17, she was expecting an important call. You thanked
her by being on the phone all night.
When you were 18, she cried at your high school graduation. You
thanked her by staying out partying until dawn.
Growing Old and Gray
When you were 19, she paid for your college tuition, drove you to
campus, carried your bags. You thanked her by saying good-bye outside
the dorm so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of your friends.
When you were 20, she asked whether you were seeing anyone. You
thanked her by saying, "It's none of your business."
When you were 21, she suggested certain careers for your future. You
thanked her by saying, "I don't want to be like you."
When you were 22, she hugged you at your college graduation. You
thanked her by asking whether she could pay for a trip to Europe.
When you were 23, she gave you furniture for your first apartment.
You thanked her by telling your friends it was ugly.
When you were 24, she met your fiancéand asked about your plans for
the future. You thanked her by glaring and growling, "Muuhh-ther,
please!"
When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and she cried
and told you how deeply she loved you. You thanked her by moving
halfway across the country.
When you were 30, she called with some advice on the baby. You
thanked her by telling her, "Things are different now."
When you were 40, she called to remind you of an relative's
birthday. You thanked her by saying you were "really busy right now".
When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her.
You thanked her by talking about the burden parents become to their
children.
And then, one day, she quietly died. And everything you never did
came crashing down like thunder. "Rock me baby, rock me all night
long." "The hand who rocks the cradle... may rock the world".
Let us take a moment of the time just to pay tribute and show
appreciation to the person called MOM though some may not say it
openly to their mother. There's no substitute for her. Cherish every
single moment. Though at times she may not be the best of friends, may
not agree to our thoughts, she is still your mother!
Your mother will be there for you; to listen to your woes6), your
brags7), your frustrations, etc. Ask yourself "Have you put aside
enough time for her, to listen to her 'blues' of working in the
kitchen, her tiredness?"
Be tactful, loving and still show her due8) respect, though you may
have a different view from hers. Once gone, only fond memories of the
past and also regrets will be left.
Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart. Love her
more than you love yourself. Life is meaningless without her.
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