Are you like me?  My 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  these suggestions.

Even BeliefNet is promoting mother-friendly suggestions.  There is an aromatherapy kit which appears to be formulated specifically for mothers.  Not sure what that means, unless these oils and herbs have the smell of Johnson’s baby talcum, topped with Vick’s Vapor Rub.  There is the ever-present, always-needed skin care kit to use after washing all those breakfast dishes and toilet bowls–hopefully not together.  My personal favorites are Republic of Tea’s yummy Pink Grapefruit Green Tea and Sweet Earth Chocolate.  Hopefully consumed together.

There’s the iPad2 and smart phones galore.  Even earth-friendly floral bouquets delivered to her door.  You can send electronic cards and hard-backed books formatted, printed and sent specifically for Mother.  While 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.

Of course, almost every mother wants and appreciates gifts.  I’ve received two books designed and made for me with photos of my children and grandchildren.  I cherish them.

In fact, I suggest that you NEVER forget to buy a Mother’s Day gift.

My children and grandchildren are scattered all over the US, from Alaska to Hawaii to Virginia.  They are not able to be with us on Mother’s Day.  This year, one of my gifts was hand delivered; and it arrived early.  As I sit at my computer, I’m enjoying a stem of 9 cymbidium orchids.  The 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.

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.  It will be when you reach over and touch her hand for no reason at Sunday lunch.  She’ll cherish that knowing wink and delight in one-too-many “Thank you’s.”

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

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.  Some of them will come to church with computer-generated Birthday cards for me.  Because they don’t read, they think it’s a Mother’s Day greeting.  Others will have small tokens or gifts that they purchased from the dollar store or local CVS Drugstore.  Together we will smile appreciating their gifts.

Their enthusiasm will escape into my heart and smear love all over my day.  It will be a good day.  After 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.

Photo:  Young Mother with Child by epSos.de