Mothers are there for us when no one else even thinks to ask if we are OK. They are steadfast in their devotion to our well being. This Mothers Day is the day that we return that lifelong devotion, standing beside our mothers, or in some cases, sharing memories with our children of the sacrifices of these great women.

Growing up, my family was poor. My father passed away on my 10th birthday after many years of fighting cancer, leaving my mother very little savings and a half finished fixer upper that they bought shortly before he was diagnosed with the dreaded disease. On top of that, during the same period, my brother developed very bad bouts of Asthma resulting in many trips to the emergency room. In spite of all of these life changing events, my wonderful mother managed to not only hold everything together, but to give us children an ideal childhood steeped in love and happiness.

Women like my mother are rare, their personal sacrifices great through troubled times, but mothers everywhere make these sacrifices with a love that transcends time. Children become busy with their lives with work and family sometimes forgetting so much as a phone call thinking of Mom as strong and self-sufficient. Sometimes we forget what she gave of herself while raising us as we continue on with our selfish pursuits until it’s too late to share our lives.

Now is the time to make that one day special for your mother. Something as simple as a phone call or a single rose is special to a mother’s heart. Remember that while most mothers are not perfect, they do their best to raise children well. Mothers day is a special day and only comes once a year. Celebrate with that special woman in your life.