There is a “Peanuts” comic strip where Lucy and Linus are at home. Lucy is reading a newspaper and says to Linus, “It says here that nothing pleases a mother more on Mother’s Day than to receive a long-distance call from one of her children.”
“That’s a good thought,” Linus says, and he takes off on the run, all the way to a phone booth, where he calls his mother.
It’s a silly cartoon about a kid who wants to please his mother on Mother’s Day, but doesn’t really understand the advice. But we often remember it this time of year.
As you read our newspaper this week, you will see many opportunities to celebrate Mother’s Day – with flowers, with jewelry, with a special meal. We certainly encourage our readers to do all of these things.
But we think most mothers will agree it’s their children’s presence, if possible, or a long-distance call, if not, that means the most on Mother’s Day.
When we consider all mothers do, Mother’s Day might be the most inadequate of all holidays to accomplish its purpose.
One day to say thank you for the gift of life? For caring for us as inconsolable, incontinent, insomniac infants? For unconditional love during our toddler years? Our teenage years?
We find thinking back on some of the trials we put our mothers through makes us feel a little more grateful to our mothers, a little more aware that no brunch or trinket is adequate to repay the debts we owe our mothers.
Whatever you do this Mother’s Day, whether in person or long distance, tell your mother you love her and are grateful for everything she has done for you.
Happy Mother’s Day!
