Nurture An Extra Mother This Year

The day we honor the role of mothers is typically reserved to our own mothers and grandmothers, for those who are still fortunate enough to have them. I recommend that we celebrate Mothers Day (or some day) a bit more broadly. Here are a few examples of the kinds of women I have in mind, although I am certain you can add to my list.

The woman in the neighborhood who has never had a child of her own makes a motherly contribution each Halloween when she pretends to be afraid of a scary costume, in awe of the fairy princess and bemused by the boy who arrives in his jeans and t-shirt hoping for some of her delicious popcorn balls.

The stay at home mother who does more than her share of the car pooling duties for your own kids, and frequently takes a wholesome fruit snack to the kindergarten class.

Your daughter who has become such a wonderful mother in her own right.

The local librarian who reads so enthusiastically to all the children at story hour each Saturday morning.

The checkout woman at your local supermarket who offers all the children a candy cane from her smock pocket each holiday season (even though you would prefer that she offer fruit).

The sad woman who lost a child this year, whether that child was a toddler or a retired fire fighter.

The other sad woman down the street whose dear mother is absent for the first Mothers Day in the daughter's life.

The enthused but exhausted woman in the next block who gave birth to twins or one child who just seems like twins.

This year, whether you are male or female, parent or not, recognize one or two or three of these women. They may not be central to your life, but they still make a contribution to it.

Send them a hand written note thanking them, invite them to your home for Mothers Day dinner, deliver a single rose or a huge bouquet. Most importantly, just thank them.

The author writes often about holidays, usually while he enjoys one of his own products such as a gourmet key lime cheesecake.