Today, we salute and give thanks to God for our mothers living and deceased. We thank them for the gift of life and for the countless sacrifices they made on our behalf. As we celebrate, I'm aware that for some people this day can be very painful for different reasons. Some of you who had a great relationship with your mother, may have lost her to death or Alzheimer's this past year. For others, this day is painful because they had or still have a poor relationship with their mother. On this day, we can at least pray for healing where it is needed. Healing does not happen, we must pray for the grace to "accept what cannot be changed". This is not easy but, it can be done. Today can also be a very painful day for couples (especially women), who very much desire to have a child, but, their efforts and prayers are not bearing fruit. We keep you especially in our prayers that your desire to have a child will soon be answered.

The following piece by an unknown author is called a Mother's Love.

Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a mother, I will tell them:

I loved you enough to ask you where you were going, with whom and what time you would get home. I loved you enough to insist that you buy a bike that we could afford to give you, with your own money.

I loved you enough to make you return a Milky-Way, with a bite out of it, to a drugstore and to confess: "I stole this."

I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes.

I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, disgust and tears in my eyes.

I loved you enough to admit I was wrong and ask for your forgiveness.

I loved you enough to let you stumble, fall and hurt.

But, most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when you hated me for it. That was the hardest part of all.

The following are a few quotes from a book called My Mother is the Best Gift I ever Had: Children, Mothers.

"Motherhood ain't for me, I'll probably be a father." Dick, age 7

"Motherhood is fattening, but I still recommend it." Marie, age 9

"My mother's greatest weakness is that she gives in too much to my father. She should wear more pants in the family." Allison, age 8

Grandmother's Bill of Rights

1. Let grandchildren know who's boss-but do it kindly.

2. Explain the rules-don't just impose them

3. Set play-area limits-but don't make home a prison.

4. Show grandchildren how to do things themselves-don't do things for them.

5. Be a friend-you are new in their lives and you both have to learn to get acquainted.

6. Learn to let go-grandchildren need to walk alone.

7. Respect Mom and Pop- grandkids belong to their parents, not to you.

8. Don't smother-give your grandchildren room to love you.