What to Write on a Mother's Day Card
What to Write on a Mother’s Day Card
I am roughly one week postpartum from having my second son, so the topic of motherhood and all that this journey encompasses feels very fresh once again. To be honest though, I am still a rookie on the Mother’s Day front as my oldest is only two years old. I am, however, not a rookie on the daughter front. As a daughter, I have had some hits and misses with Mother’s Day, but I can tell you my mom has every card anyone has ever given to her. Her favorite cards are, without a doubt, from yours’ truly (not because I am her favorite child, but because I am her only child).
Wondering about and worrying over what to write in your Mother’s Day card might seem futile or pointless given that there are a multitude of ways to find appropriate, heartfelt words for the occasion, but are they YOUR words? I think that is key on a day that highlights and honors what is typically such an intimate bond between mother and child. Putting your spin and signature on her card is a sure way to make it the perfect Mother’s Day card.
She Is Enough
The first thing to include in your Mother’s Day card would be a reminder that everything she has done in the name of motherhood has been ENOUGH. As moms, I believe that is the question (or variation of) that rings out the loudest in our heads at the end of the day. “Did I do enough? Was today enough fun? Did I teach enough lessons? Was it too much?” I’m 35 years old and my mom still asks me from time to time if some of her greatest motherly accomplishments were “enough.” It always tears at my heart a little to hear her question herself because, yes, they were ABSOLUTELY enough and then some, and as her daughter, I have a duty to tell her as much.
Share the Memories
After reminding her that all her worrying about the “enough factor” was completely unnecessary, tell her about “the time when…” Preferably, an occasion or moment that she might not remember. We all love hearing stories about how something we have done for someone has affected them in a more powerful way than we had intended. The inherently selfless nature of a mother’s love makes her the ideal recipient for this type of story. The actions of a mom do not typically come from a place looking for recognition or accolade, so she will probably be surprised to hear how some of the seemingly insignificant motherly acts meant the world to you. For instance, on random mornings before school, my mom used to set the kitchen table for breakfast with a glass of milk that had been chilling in the freezer, vitamins lovingly placed next to it (which didn’t thrill me), a folded napkin, and a piping, hot breakfast. That lovely morning place setting would then set the tone for my whole day. I will never forget how those mornings made me feel. I also can’t imagine her not knowing how much love I felt in those moments and how grateful I still am today.
The actions of a mom do not typically come from a place looking for recognition or accolade, so she will probably be surprised to hear how some of the seemingly insignificant motherly acts meant the world to you.
What I love most about including an anecdotal component to your Mother’s Day card is that after several years, you and she have built a collection of stories via these cards. I think that type of family artifact is priceless these days especially considering that so many of our memories with our family are becoming digitized in one way or another. As much as we are able to “save” memories today, we are able to more easily forget them as well because we know that they are backed up somewhere safe in the ether.
Show Appreciation for the Small Things
I would then bring up something to her that you always notice she does for you but for which you may not always verbalize your appreciation. An example: my mom is forever letting me rant and rave like a lunatic about the same thing that upset or bothered me for much longer than anyone else would tolerate in life. Sometimes, I actually think to myself, “Wow, I can’t believe she is still letting me talk about this nonsense and acting interested at the same time. I love this woman.”
Remind Her How Much She is Needed
Lastly, conclude by telling her that you will, in fact, ALWAYS want and need her. Even at our most exhausted, I think most of us still want to be needed. There is an invisible force that keeps moms going for their babies, and I think that goes for moms and babies of all ages.
Even at our most exhausted, I think most of us still want to be needed.
It is not lost on me that Mother’s Day can also be a mixed bag of emotions for many of us. Moms make mistakes. They mess up at certain times in epic ways, and in some ways, are capable of hurting us more than anyone else could. Some of our moms are not Earth side any longer, sometimes our relationship with our mother has fallen apart over the years. There are a variety of reasons that what to write in your Mother’s Day card may not be one of the focal points of your Mother’s Day celebration this year, but it’s good to remember that writing can provide us with a lot of support and catharsis when we feel emotionally challenged. We can remain grateful to the woman who brought us into the world and empowered to forge our own unique path into parenthood, if we so choose.
Remember, too, that Mother’s Day is a good time to recognize your grandmothers, special aunts, sisters, friends, and anyone else who has a special motherly place in your heart. Being a mom is one of the most thankless jobs there is, and today, take a moment to send some love and appreciation to those who have helped you along your way.
More than anything, Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate your mom, with stories and memories that are meaningful to you and to her. Stories that are specific to her and you are a sure way to making her feel extra loved and appreciated this Mother’s Day. If you need help telling your story, call The Storyteller Agency to get started today.
