The first Mother's Day gift I can remember giving my mom was a narrow navy blue belt with a gold buckle. I was a seven-year-old kid from the Bronx. And given the times, I was allowed to walk down to the end of the block past the four buildings (955, 923, 911, and 901 Walton Avenue) that stretched between my building and Murray’s candy store. Next to it was a drugstore owned by a man named Bernie, where I believed that eating a cream cheese and lettuce sandwich along with an egg cream at the counter made me feel as close to a grown-up as a kid could get.
Greatest Mother's Day Gifts
The Bronx, NY
That’s as far as I was allowed to go unaccompanied, but I had ventured beyond the border many times for hand-packed ice cream at Addie Valens. That is how I learned that between the drug store and Addie Valens was a small women’s store. I don’t think the word "boutique" was even in the vernacular yet. At that store, I crossed the imaginary boundaries that I was allowed to travel to find a gift for my mom with the money I had saved from my candy budget! I still remember the white tissue paper in which it was wrapped and how proud I was to give it to my mother.
First Mother's Day Gift
Aside from their wonderful glittery, lacy, homemade cards, the first Mother's Day gift I remember receiving from my kids was incredibly special. When I woke up on Mother's Day, I immediately noticed our apartment was too quiet. As a single mom who worked hard to avoid being overly protective, I called out their names but received no response. As the adrenaline began to surge through my veins, I noticed the note on the pillow beside mine. “Don’t worry, Mom,” it read, though I’m sure the original had much more creative spelling. “We know you work so hard and that you love the Sunday newspaper, so we went to get it for you.” Could a mother ask for more? Their gesture captured everything wonderful about this memorable holiday: genuine appreciation and love, even at the risk of getting in trouble, from the two people who meant the most to me in the world.
Happy Mother's Day
As Mother's Day approaches, think about your Mom and what would bring her the most joy on this special day. Take a walk together, gift her a beautiful piece of jewelry or enjoy a meal together.