For Mother’s Day I thought I’d pop up a quick post to share with you the best gifts my Mom and my Mother-in-law have given us…
My Mom has always been there for all five of us kids, no matter what.
She taught us many lifelong lessons about being good to others. Here are the top five best gifts she has given us:
1. Mom taught us to always think the best of people, because you never know what they might be going through in their lives right now. (I sort of drive Kent crazy with this one sometimes because if he gets cut off in traffic and starts to rant, I’ll say, “Maybe he’s just absentminded because he’s on his way to visit his wife in the hospital!”)
2. Mom taught us the Golden Rule, and to do the right thing even when it’s not easy.
3. She taught us that God, family and friends come first, and you always help others when you’re needed. We’ve watched her help others our whole lives, even now in her 70′s, she’s taking meals to those who need it.
4. This classic has always done me well: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” And another one of her famous lines that she’d use on us if ever we were worried about going somewhere was this one, “Just smile and be nice to everybody and you’ll do fine.” 
5. One of the very best gifts from Mom & Dad is that they raised my brother and three sisters, who are a lot of fun to be with, along with their spouses and kids. We often talk about how thankful we all are to like being with each other, when some families have nothing but turmoil between them.
Next: My Mother-in-law is not your typical Mother-in-law.
I can honestly say that she has never said anything even slightly offensive to me. She is the sweetest person you’ll ever meet and it’s always great to be with her. Here are the best gifts she has given us:
1. Ron & Mary Ellen raised five amazing men and one of the best gifts they gave their daughters-in-law was to teach them to cook, clean and do laundry. Kent has always helped with that stuff around here and doesn’t even act like there’s any other way. (How could I not love this woman, right?!)
2. They were a solid example of living out their faith when raising their boys. I never take for granted the fact that I am married to a man who loves the Lord. It means everything to me.
3. Mary Ellen never judges others and always makes people feel heard, loved, and valued. Because of this her kids and grand kids (and everyone really), want to be around her. She and Ron never pressured us to have to come there on holidays, they remembered how hard it was sometimes to hit both families in one day. But we rarely miss because we love being there.
4. They raised their boys in a firm, loving home that was also full of humor. We love being with Kent’s brothers, their wives, and all the kids, because they’re good people, and they make us laugh. A lot.
5. Most of all, Ron & Mary Ellen are teaching our kids what marriage vows mean. Ron has been in a nursing home for years now with Alzheimers and doesn’t know us anymore. Mary Ellen visits him every day. She shaves him, feeds him, tells him she loves him, and makes sure he is well cared for. She is the ultimate example of sacrificial love.
I thank God for my Mom and my Mother-in-law, I am truly blessed. Happy Mother’s Day Mom & Mary Ellen!
Have you seen this book for Moms? (I’m a contributing author, thanks again for asking me, Lisa!) The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul
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– I love this activity! I’ve used it for years with my own kids and always did it yearly with my day care kids, too. They love trying to guess what’s in each egg, and their eyes get huge as I explain what happened to Jesus and how He allowed it, even though He was GOD and could’ve made it all stop. That’s how much He loves us. I look each child in the eye to be sure they GET IT. I pray that no matter where life takes them, they will never doubt that fact: that He LOVES them and died for THEM.
