I have a bit of an issue with card stores. I spend up to an hour plucking cards from the shelves until I find the perfect one. Often I cannot find that perfect one, and I leave the store annoyed with the greeting card people. Why don’t they write what I want to say? And why must they add all sorts of crafty do-dads to the cards so that they can charge $7.99?
I came up empty last week, while I was searching for a card for my mother’s big birthday this weekend. I won’t tell you her age in case she wants to keep it a secret, but it ends in a zero and starts with a number that rhymes with heaven. Since the greeting card industry cannot meet my needs, I am composing her card right here, blog-style. I’ll creatively call it:
For my mother, on her birthday
I am all these things because of you, Mom:
- a planner
- a faithful calendar user
- well-groomed
- a reader
- a chocolate lover
- a loyal friend
- a good mother
Because of you, these are all the things I’m not:
- a procrastinator
- socially awkward
- a fan of cottage cheese (when you used to eat it for lunch the smell made me gag)
- the kind of gal who leaves her sheets on the bed for weeks at a time
- shy
- an impulse buyer
- a slob
Life lessons I learned from my mother
If you serve it on your own plate, it counts as homemade.
The most wonderful sound in the world is that of m&m’s being poured into a bowl.
It’s okay to laugh at yourself.
Loving other people doesn’t use up space in your heart; it makes room for more love.
Carry a coupon envelope in your purse; you never know when you may need one.
Give compliments freely, but give your opinion only when asked.
Maintaining friendships take time and effort, but they are worth it.
You aren’t fully dressed without your earrings.
If you shower unconditional love on your child, she will grow up to realize how lucky she is to be your daughter.
Photo Credit: My dad
Happy birthday, Mom – I luv you! Now please excuse me while I head to the card store – it’s only two weeks until Mother’s Day.
What have you learned from your mother or mother-figure in your life? Linking up with Kristi and Lisa for Finish the Sentence Friday (“All the things I’m not…)
Such a beautiful tribute to your mom focusing on the real-life-not-sappy-greeting-card impact she has had on the person – and mom – you have become. The fact that Gwen’s sweet message was the very first comment posted is just perfect!
It is, isn’t it? When your post goes live at night and you have a college student, she sees it first!
This is beautiful, and I feel your pain on the cards. Sometimes, I just want a simple, pretty “Happy Birthday”. Is that too much to ask? Often, I think about making cards – then I could indulge my creative side, say just what I want, and make it personal. There are some great words of wisdom in your post that deserve a spot in a card.
But. Life.
I hope your mom had a wonderful day and enjoyed what you shared here.
(Sorry it took me so long to read this – I’m barely keeping my chin above water these days…)
Don’t apologize – life happens! My mom had a great birthday, and she printed out my post as her card. I bet it was her favorite. 🙂
Happy birthday to your mom! We just celebrated my mom’s 65th last month. My mom taught me how to be a loyal friend, a planner, and inspired me to pursue my creative passions.
She sounds amazing, just like her daughter!
That is a great post – I love where you went with this one. 🙂
Thanks, Lisa.
AW!!!!! This is SOOOO MUCH BETTER than any store bought expensive do-dad filled card with bells and recordings! I’m a big believer that what people write INSIDE the card, is most important- so I go to the dollar store for all my cards. 🙂 2 for a buck anyone? And there are some really nice ones to boot!
I need to try the dollar store. Trader Joe’s has inexpensive cards too – I always keep a stockpile on hand.
From my mom, I’ve learned how to be resilient, how to plan and to do much with little, and to make the little things in life count. I’m with you re: the $7.99 cards. Since when does a card cost that much? I take a while choosing cards too. LOL Here’s to our moms and all the wonders they passed on to us!
So nice, Dana. I love the little tidbits (not dressed without earrings and you don’t like cottage cheese b/c of the smell at lunch 🙂 I feel the same way about sardines and vienna sausages thanks to my mom!) Well done.
Thank you, Amy. Sardines and vienna sausages…yep, pretty potent smelling!
Happy birthday to your mom, Dana! This is fabulous! Also, it’s funny that you look for the perfect card. For some reason, I always prefer blank cards and when I receive cards, I kinda sorta feel like the pre-written words don’t count-count, because they were already there. But now, thinking of my husband trying to find the perfect card for me makes me reflect…
I should just write my own! It would be easier. I wait for a card to make me cry or laugh out loud, and then I know it’s a good one.
I recently did spend $24 just on three cards, so that price tag is spot-on for me!
My father hated cottage cheese too!!! I don’t, though.
That photo of you as a little one.. I can’t say it enough. You are a clone of your gorgeous mom now.
Aw, thank you Tamara. A clone that is five inches shorter, though!
I LOVE this so much!
Thanks, Nina! My mom loved it too.
Okay Dana, this made me cry. What a tribute! I laughed about the cottage cheese. And I after I write this, I will be putting an envelop in my purse – I love that!
I’ve graduated from envelope to a small zippered case – yes, I am a bit anal retentive.
Such a sweet post! I agree about it being hard to find a card that says what you want to say.
I really should just buy blank cards and write my own thoughts, shouldn’t I?
Aw! Love this!!! I have the same problem with choosing cards, so I love that you did this instead! She sounds like an amazing lady and I know she has an amazing daughter!
Thanks, Lisa!
Aw! What a nice tribute. Y’know she’s still going to want a card, right? 😉 Maybe not your mom but that’s the main thing I learned from my mom. Always get a card. Family story: exaggerated over time, I’m sure: She sent my dad back out into the rain on Valentine’s Day (also anniversary of their engagement) to get her a card when he came home without one!
Liz – I did not get her a card, and she was okay with it! She printed out this post instead. Now Mother’s Day – a card will be expected. P.S. I like your mom.
Beautiful, thoughtful amd creative words about your mom, my dear friend.
Thank you, Andi!
So many things I wish I would’ve said to my mama!!!!
She knew.<3
Dana –
This is beautiful and much more thoughtful than any card you’d find in a card store. You are so fortunate to have the Mom (and Dad) you have (and I know you know where I’m coming from when I say this). Your Mom is one of my favorite people and she is so blessed to have you as her daughter. When you see her, please give her a hug and kiss for me and all of my love!
Don’t buy her a Mother’s Day card. Give her this instead.
Love you!
Pam
I read this to my mom – what a lovely comment. Thank you Pam! And I did not give her a birthday card, but I think I will have to get a Mother’s Day card!
Love your ability to be both humorous and loving with your words, it is a gift.
Thank you Sue. xoxo
This seriously is wonder card for your mom from you.
Thanks to share this great post.
Thank you for reading!
Love. Love. Love.
Happy Mother’s Day to the kind of gal who changes her sheets on the regular.
Ha – thanks!
Thank you, Dana, for this beautiful post. And thank you, Gwen, for your sweet comment. Luv you both to the moon and back!
Luv you too xoxo
Aw, this seriously is beautiful and the perfect card for your mom from you. By the way though I am similar to you with my need to locate the perfect card for the occasion and don’t know many who get this. So enjoyed learning that I am not alone on this at the very least, as well here. 😉
I seriously could spend hours in the card store searching for the perfect card!
It’s only been 18 years, but I already know how lucky I am to have such a loving, caring, authentic, and amazing mother. And of course she got that from her momma! You are two of my favorite women in the whole world… Love you both so much. xoxo
So many gifts generations of women have given you and I’m sure you will one day pass on. What a lucky woman you are : )
Love you too baby!