According to the calendar and the greeting card companies, Mother’s Day was over 2 weeks ago—only about 50 weeks until we celebrate all over again.
However, as I thought about our Mother’s Day this year, I realized this day was really no different from any other day.
For me, I learned that Mother’s Day is really every day when I take the time to celebrate motherhood by acknowledging and giving thanks for the biggest blessing of my life--my children.
So on May 13, 2012, I celebrated the day and the gift of motherhood by just being a mom.
More specifically, I was a mom who took her children to the zoo for the first time.
It certainly wasn’t your typical gift.
I didn’t get to sleep in. I didn’t get showered with gifts of flowers and jewelry. I didn’t get a gift certificate for a spa day. I didn’t get a nice meal at my favorite restaurant.
What I did get was much more precious and more cherished.
I got to see the world anew through the eyes of a child.
Emily asking to see the “piggies.”
Both of them asking for “more animals!”
Drew learning to clearly say the word “monkey”
Both of them laughing when the geyser went off.
The excited look on their faces when they finally saw the elephant on the savannah
The way they loved the chimps, giraffes, ostriches, zebras, bison, bears…
But didn’t care for the snakes, lizards, or animatronic dinosaurs
The way they were eager to ride the carousel…
Until it started to move.
Sharing a cup of Dippin’ Dots as a family as we waited for the rain to pass.
Emily and Andrew, chasing a bird back and forth, trying to grab it through the glass.
Watching Drew get more excited about the Park golf cart and shuttle buses than the exotic animals
Yes, it was the perfect gift.
PS- If my husband is reading this post, please make no mistake—Since every day is Mother’s Day to me, you can book my spa day, complete with a nap, flowers, and dinner out, for any of the next 348 days.
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