Don’t Wait For A Holiday

love May 09, 2022
 

Each year we have a time to honor our Mother and our Father with a special day. Each year we have a day to celebrate milestones such as birthdays or anniversaries. It’s an opportunity to buy a card, or have a special meal, or offer a gift. It’s a day to appreciate what we love about someone in our life. To celebrate.

We have a few traditions in our house. For example, if it’s your birthday you get to pick whatever meal you want and that’s what we have. It’s always fun, and sometimes also kind of interesting depending on the age of the child. If you’ve never had mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and cake as your total meal, you just haven’t lived!

After our meal we go around the table and each person shares what they appreciate about the person whose birthday it is. It’s been a really special tradition. We’ve expanded this out into other holidays too with variations on the same theme. This year for Mother’s Day I got notes from my children and children-in-heart (my children by marriage) with a list of “Mom Memories”. This is a take on the “what do you appreciate” theme.

I love that we do these. It’s an opportunity for connection, for reminders of what we appreciate, to bring joy to others in our lives. I hope that we always continue.

One thing that really stood out to me this year is something that I want to share with you all, though. The official day is simply a place marker. It’s a reminder to be intentional. It’s not a one and done thing. The DAY itself is not what is important.

What IS important is the reminder to spend time throughout the year showing the people around you in big ways or small that you love them. That they are important to you. That you appreciate them. That you are glad they are in your life.

Take time today to really show those around you that you love them. It doesn’t have to be big. An extra smile, a hug, even just a gentle touch when you walk by. An “I love you” out of the blue. A note sharing something you appreciate. A call “just because”.

I feel loved all of the time. Having a "day" as a reminder is great and fun. But I'm so lucky not to NEED it to know that I'm loved. That is a true blessing. When you start showing love and appreciation every day it feeds your relationships. It reinforces your own feelings and reminds your loved ones that they matter. And it just makes life sweeter.