Two thoughts for moms on their day of the year

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs ...

since the payment is pure love.”

-- MILDRED B. VERMONT

What can you give to a mother on Mother’s Day? There will be many

wonderful gifts given tomorrow to honor and thank mothers. There will

be a record number of beautiful floral bouquets given and countless

loving cards sent, along with other thoughtful gifts to let women

know just how much they mean to their loved ones. The presents are

always appreciated, but mothers are especially thrilled with hugs and

words of love.

What am I giving to my readers this Mother’s Day? I have the

privilege of sharing two special poems to mothers written by a

wonderful poet and friend, Frank Carpenter. Frank is the author of

the book “A Bouquet of Memories for Mother” and is a prolific poet.

Enjoy!

OUR HEART

You are the mom

Who was always there

At every game and event

No one could measure

The love and the time and

Compassion you have spent

The cheers, the tears

The talks and hugs

Good mornings, good nights and such

Summer days, holidays

School days, every day

You have always done so much

You are the glue

That’s held us together

Right from the very start

The mother, the best friend

We could always depend on

You are our family’s heart.

THANK YOU

I thank you for a thousand little things

Which really aren’t so small

And for the countless, thankless jobs

Which upon your shoulders fall

I thank you for the time you take

And for your energy

For the way you balance everything

And how you love the kids and me

I thank you for your gentle touch

And for your helping hand

For always being there for us

And how you seem to understand

There are times to work and cook and clean

And times to simply stop and play

Our kids know they have the funnest mom

Which you prove again each day

Somehow you find a way to do it all

Perhaps far more than you ought to

But we really do appreciate

All those extra things you do

All the things that show how very much

You love the kids and me

And I thank God most every day

For you, and our family.

Thank you, Frank, for your inspiring words, and thank you moms for

your inspiring lives.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.