If  Spring came but once a century, instead of once a year, or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake and not in silence, what wonder and expectation there would be in all hearts to behold the miraculous change.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Over the next couple of months, here in the USA, we’ll take time to

 Celebrate Moms, Dads & Grads.

This year let’s make a special effort to turn Mother’s Day, Graduation and  Father’s Day  into more than just another occasion to send a card or buy a gift.

Around here, we’re going to try making these special days a time to give our LOVE. There IS a difference, you know. Years ago, when I was as young as you are now,  I took the easy way out. My life was full! We were BUSY! I can’t count the number of years where I justified a casual recognition of Mother’s  Day, and Father’s Day using the rational of BUSY (read: self-absorbed youngsters). I mean come on, those days are not really Holidays, instead they were just another marketing invention by the greeting card industry to bolster the long dry retail spell between Easter and Halloween. And everybody graduates eventually. Right? I convinced myself it all that was required was to quickly choose the obligatory greeting cards, without too much thought. And if it was convenient, we might even drive the short distance over to Grandma’s house and deliver them in person.

Now, I’m the grandma. So, I gotta tell you, looking at those special days from the other end of the spectrum makes me understand how self-absorbed busy-ness can make us. How I wish it was possible to turn back time. Oh to be young again, but retain the wisdom that comes with age; the wisdom that teaches insight and consideration. My mom and dad would still be with me. And no matter how BUSY life got, I would make the time to tell them how much they were loved before it was too late – and not just on special days, either. Unfortunately – Hind sight is always 20/20. Okay. Stepping down off my soap box now.  Hope you have a Happy Mother’s Day at your house.