Looking for a gift for Mother's Day?

Say it with flowers

In this short “bonus” edition of One Good Thing, I’m offering two ideas for gifts that — if you order quickly — should arrive in time for Mother’s Day, which is May 11th.

I assume that most of us will absorb the Mother’s Day concept based on how our own mothers handled this somewhat weird one-day celebration of an identity that, once assumed, will last every single day for an entire lifetime.

The celebration itself seems to have the reverse effect of pointing out how impossible it is to acknowledge the actual contribution our mothers make to our lives.

Hi Mom! I owe you my very life.

So let me take you to brunch!

My mother, Jane, could sniff out phoniness from a great distance. She had a disdain for manufactured holidays and overall didn’t seem to enjoy being the center of attention.

And yet … there are times when attention must be paid.

Starting when we were young children, my siblings and I were directed toward the only gift that our mother would happily accept on Mother’s Day:

Flowers.

The rules were simple. Hand-picked flowers delivered in a jelly glass.

Nothing fancier — nothing more — would be accepted gracefully.

But nothing less would do, either.

Early May where I live will NOT offer up many options, flower-wise. Wilted daffodils and just-blooming tulips are about it.

After delivery and a hug, the day would not be spoken of again — until the next year.

“Can we speak in flowers.
It will be easier for me to understand.”

Nayyirah Waheed

Maybe your mother is this way. Maybe your mom makes you thread the Mother’s Day needle with a delicate filament.

Or maybe your mom would like something more concrete and longer lasting than hand-picked posies.

A book, perhaps?

My dear friend Gay Cioffi has produced a small book that delivers flowers of all seasons, beautifully rendered in watercolor and accompanied by a lovely quote.

I featured this book once before in this space and readers loved it.

Gay tells me that if you get your order in quickly, your mom — or you — should receive it by Mother’s Day.

Want to order? Just click HERE and Gay will make sure to ship out your book(s) quickly.

And not to be outdone by my bestie, I will offer my own memoir of life with mom, life after mom, and life as a mom — to the first five readers who subscribe to my One Good Thing newsletter. (Note — this is a paid subscription; I don't want to surprise anyone!)

I will happily inscribe the book to your mom (or to you) with whatever expression of love you choose, and will send it directly to her (or to you!).

How do you subscribe?

Do you have a favorite memory, recipe, expression, habit, bedtime story or tradition inspired by your own mother? Please do share in the comments section and I’ll feature your thoughts in my Mothers Day newsletter.

With Love (and flowers)…

Amy