It is the last week of the 20-21 school year and I am crawling to the finish line. Part of my "to-do" list in this last week is to give gifts to all the people who have made this year memorable, including my students, my colleagues, and my own children's teachers. But as I shopped and put gifts together, it dawned on me that there was an extremely important person I was forgetting to thank- my mom. My mom has come every school day by 7:15 am to help my kids get ready for school while I head off to work. She does it with love and generosity. In the cold, dark winter and every season in between. When we got our puppy in December, she added much work to her day by puppy sitting for most of the school day. If she hadn't wanted to help, I don't know how we would have figured out life with our puppy. Not only did she agree to help our puppy , she completely fell in love with him and treated him like a new grandchild! Besides all that, she often does loads of our laundry. She buys groceries when we run out of items the kids always need. She makes Alex and Megan feel happy and loved every day before they go to school. She is Teddy's favorite friend. I just can't say how much my mom does for us. I tried to capture it with the following poem, which I will give her tomorrow with some grateful gift cards too for fun summer shopping. She deserves it all and more. Here is the poem I will give her: For all the times you woke up in the early morning to get to us by 7:15, For the countless lunches and snacks you packed, For all the notes and drawings you made on brown bags, For the masks you put on mask holders and set out near backpacks For all the chrome books you unplugged and packed For all the hair you brushed and styled For all the socks you set out near sneakers For all the breakfasts you made and glasses of orange juice you poured For all the walks across the street in all weather For all the laundry you sorted and washed For all the baskets of laundry you folded For all the groceries I ran out of and you replenished For all the costumes you put together when I needed them at the last minute For all the love and care you gave when puppy Teddy arrived For all the walks you took Teddy on For all the poop you had to scoop For all the chicken you cooked and shredded for him For all the times you tossed his snake, playing fetch For all the afternoons you stayed in my house so Teddy wouldn’t be lonely For all the times you listened and gave encouraging words For all the times you came up with a solution for every problem. For all the times you came to soccer games and special events For being the glue that held us together For all the unseen acts of love and kindness you perform each day We couldn’t do this without you We love you and are so grateful for you. Thank you for helping us through this pandemic school year. Happy Summer Vacation! Alex. Megan and Teddy at the end of the 20-21 school year.
6 Comments
6/22/2021 03:40:21 am
What a beautiful gift of gratitude for your mom! I know she will appreciate and treasure it!
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Terje
6/22/2021 04:09:54 am
This was an incredibly sweet thank you note. So much love in it. I hope you have a wonderful summer. I wish you will have time to just sit and chat with your mom without either one of you burdened with any tasks.
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6/22/2021 04:59:50 am
What an incredible poem for your mom... I know she will treasure it. You are fortunate to have a mother who gives so much of herself to your family. I have a feeling she is happy to be there for the five (Yes, I see you, Teddy!) of you.
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Erika Victor
6/22/2021 06:09:13 am
Like mother, like daughter! It is no surprise your mom is so giving. How wonderful that she lives close enough to you that she can be that person in your lives. What a lovely tribute to her! Enjoy the start of your break!
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Glenda M. Funk
6/22/2021 10:23:27 am
This is a beautiful tribute to your mom, but I bet she’d tell you that all she has done for you and your family is a gift to her. We all need to feel valued and important in this world. That is difficult when you no longer work or have children at home. You’re filling a need in your mom’s life, too.
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6/23/2021 11:59:01 am
WOW. You know, it's one thing to say, "Thank you for all you've done," but here you are laying it out for all the world - and especially your mom! - to see. I wonder if she has ever really stopped to ponder how MUCH she has done before she's read this list. I wonder if she just shrugs her shoulders and says it's just part of how she helps out. But you know. And we know. She clearly is an amazing human, and I feel so glad that you have a person like that in your world. It's what we all deserve. I hope your mom enjoys the poem and her gifts. =))
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AuthorKathleen Neagle Sokolowski Archives
May 2023
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