Honour Your Mum
“All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” – Abraham Lincoln
We often take our mum’s unconditional love and care for granted, so let’s take this opportunity to show her some appreciation and spend some quality time with her.
If you are a reader of the Australian Over 50s, your mum would most likely be over 70, or may even have passed. No matter the circumstance, there are many ways you can show your respect for her.
Pay Her A Visit
The greatest gift you can give mum is your time and presence. Clear your schedule and meet up with her. If you have siblings, take the lead and organise a get together at mum’s. If she’s in aged care or a retirement village, it would be good to book a family room in advance. Get your kids and grandkids to join as well. Mum will be ecstatic to see the whole family together!
Give her some flowers and give her your attention as you chat with her. Thank her for being your mum and tell her how much she means to you.
Put It Into Words
Write a letter to mum and pour your heart out. Tell her you love her and admire her. Thank her for the things she has taught you; pen down how it shaped your life and helped you to become the person you are today. It can be easier to express your feelings in writing and it will be a gift that she will treasure forever.
If a letter is too extensive, why not make a Memory Jar for her? You can get other family members in on this and make it a joint effort. Everyone can write down at least one significant memory with her on a small piece of paper, fold it and put it into the jar. This will make mum laugh, cry and recollect what an amazing life she has had. She will be so touched and grateful for this simple yet priceless present.
Back To Basics
Relive your childhood by doing something you and your mum did together when you were a kid.
If you have fond memories of baking cookies together, prepare all the ingredients and dive right into it. Were you shopping partners? Do some online shopping together!
Did you both love to go to the movies? Make a cinema experience for her at home. Find a good movie, microwave some popcorn and you’re all set.
If mum is still active, surprise her with a fancy movie date – enjoy sitting on comfortable reclining chairs while being served food and drinks as you watch the movie.
A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words
Frame a favourite photo of you together. Or if you have lots of those, make an entire photo album for her or a video collage from your laptop or phone.
You could even take it up a notch and get her a digital photo frame filled with photos of every family member.
Relax & Unwind
Pamper mum with a home spa day! You could set up an in-home masseuse for her and organise a nail technician at her home and get mani-pedis together.
Virtual Meet-Up
If mum is overseas, giving her a surprise video call on Facetime or WhatsApp will make her day!
Or you could arrange a Zoom party for mum with her friends and family. She will be thrilled to see them all, especially the ones she talks about but hasn’t caught up with in a while.
Butter Her Up
Put together some nutritious freezer meals for mum or book a meal delivery service for her.
Help her out with some chores she might want done or invest in a monthly home cleaning service to help her out.
She will appreciate any of these gestures, plus it will save her time and money.
Celebrate Her
Even if your mum has passed on, it is important to still commemorate her. Tell your kids or partner stories about her. Take flowers to her grave, speak to her picture, or go to that special place where you feel most connected to her. Remember her fondly and be grateful for the wonderful memories you had together.
Allow yourself to mourn the loss of your mum and cry. It can be incredibly healing and satisfying. Writing a letter is also a glorious way for you to keep her memories alive and say all the things you have wanted to tell her since she has passed. Allow yourself to cry and miss her and feel close to her.
“A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.” – Cardinal Mermillod
How you treat your mother is a great way to teach your kids by example.
Whatever you decide to do for mum, she will absolutely adore it. Shower her with lots of love and warmth. Treat her like the queen she is.
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