Recognize the Nurturers in Your Life

The day we honor the role of mothers is typically reserved to our own mothers and grandmothers, for those who are still fortunate enough to have them. I recommend that we celebrate Mothers Day (or some day) a bit more broadly. Here are a few examples of the kinds of women I have in mind, although I am certain you can add to my list.

The mother of a spouse, partner, boyfriend or girlfriend has made a contribution to you by raising her child in a way that seems to have pleased you. Let her know that.

In addition to being a spectacular aunt to me, my aunt has also adoringly nurtured the cousins whom I hold so dear.

The woman in the neighborhood who has never had a child of her own makes a motherly contribution each Halloween when she pretends to be afraid of a scary costume, in awe of the fairy princess and bemused by the boy who arrives in his jeans and t-shirt hoping for some of her delicious popcorn balls.

The stay at home mother who does more than her share of the car pooling duties for your own kids, and frequently takes a wholesome fruit snack to the kindergarten class.

Your daughter who has become such a wonderful mother in her own right.

The local librarian who reads so enthusiastically to all the children at story hour each Saturday morning.

The sad woman who lost a child this year, whether that child was a toddler or a retired fire fighter.

The other sad woman down the street whose dear mother is absent for the first Mothers Day in the daughter's life.

The woman at your workplace who spends her free time all year knitting scarves to be distributed by your local charity to children who are not warm enough in the winter.

This year, whether you are male or female, parent or not, recognize one or two or three of these women. They may not be central to your life, but they still make a contribution to it.

Send them a hand written note thanking them, invite them to your home for Mothers Day dinner, deliver a single rose or a huge bouquet. Most importantly, just thank them.