Mother's Day does not always elicit good memories and warm feelings. Several years ago, a friend said: "Mother's Day is not a happy day for me. I was never able to have children and the day only serves to highlight my disappointment."

Not everyone can give birth or serve as an adoptive mother. And children of abusive mothers or mothers with addictions find themselves conflicted about this day each year. The verse and sentiment on cards for the occasion do not fit their contradicted feelings.

Mother's Day, however, is not about ourselves. It is about expressing gratitude to another. All of us may not be mothers, but all of us have had someone in our past who filled the role of "mother" for us. This may have been a biological mother, an adoptive mother, a grandparent, family member, or a God-parent, but we all have a face that comes to mind when we think of the word, "mother."

Someone provided for us when we could not provide for ourselves. Someone served as our care giver and even though they may not have been "perfect," expressions of gratitude from us are appropriate on Mother's Day. "As sharp as a serpent's tooth is a thankless child," (Asp's Fables).

On a fine Saturday afternoon, the young wife was off, credit card in hand, headed out for a day of heavy shopping. Her usually lazy husband decided to really surprise her. He made the bed...washed the dishes...vacuumed the house...mopped the floors...did the laundry and folded the clothes...and mowed the lawn.

When she returned she said nothing about the lawn, but it was dark and the young man assumed she simply didn't notice. When she had put her packages down he took her on a guided tour room by room to see what he had done. After she looked into each room---she said nothing. Finally, when he showed her the laundry, clean and neatly stacked and said: "Well, don't you have anything to say?" And she replied: "It's a thankless task, isn't it?"

On Mother's Day, if the one you think of is deceased, think of all the things she did for you and thank God for her. If your mother is alive, make sure she is not thinking that raising and providing for you was "a thankless task."