The Most Precious Mother’s Day Gift

I am not a morning person. But last week I had to get up before dawn in order to participate in a special event. When I stepped out onto the deck to do my morning yoga and stretching routine the sky was still completely dark. No moon. I looked up at the stars. All was silent!

Suddenly, one cardinal sitting in the top of the pine tree off to my right began to sing. There was no answer. She repeated her call 7 times. Finally an answer came back from a cardinal in the top of the oak tree off to my left. Immediately a third cardinal called out behind me, from the maple tree in my front yard. As these cardinals continued their conversation a lone morning dove moaned. No answer. She called out two more times before another dove answered her. A moment later the whole neighborhood was alive with the songs of cardinals, doves, robins, chickadees, blue Jay's, crows and sparrows.

Experts on the psychological differences between men and women agree that women are like birds. What they want the most is to call out and hear an answer. In other words, they want to be able to talk and to know that they are being listened to. Like birds, before dawn they want to know where their loved ones are and what is happening in their lives.

Last week I heard on the news that the average adult male would spend $122.00 on Mother's Day celebrations and gifts. It is true that most women do like gifts of appreciation. But they are not and can never be a substitute for genuine conversation. So, if you want to really touch your mother's heart this mother's day, try making time to sit down and talk. If possible, bring your brothers, sisters, and other family members to the table, or into the livingroom, too. Like the sparrows, most mothers are happiest when they are in conversation with the whole flock. If you can't be in the same room, pick up the phone. Cards and e-mails are good because they show t at you are thinking of your loved one, but they are not equal in value to a two way conversation Imagine how poor the world would seem if birds chose to communicate only by sending silent cards and e-mails!

May God Bless your celebrations, your gift giving, and your conversations. Happy Mother's Day.

Dr. Greene is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and a resident of Richmond, IN. He is also the author of Benjamin's Dog Joseph, Feeling Better: The Wisdom of the Doc, You Can Feel Better: How to cope with chronic pain and physical disabilities, and co-author of Walking Free: the Nellie Zimmerman Story.

For further information about his books, please visit www.densmorereid.com

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