Ways to Show Mom You Love Her

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Why is Mother's Day different from all other days? Because it's the one day of the year when we stop to acknowledge and thank our mother for everything she has sacrificed to make our lives better. Here are some ways to show Mom how much you care:

* Visit your mother, whether you live near or far. Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day, proposed that a special visit to Mom would be an appropriate symbol of dedication to mother in honor of her day.

* Call her on the phone. These days, when families are separated by hundreds of miles and e-mail is so accessible, we need a little push to pick up the phone. So dial those digits!

* Get out that camera and snap some shots of Mom with her children, grandchildren or you. E-mail them to her, or frame them for a gift that will be sure to last a lifetime.

* Take Mom out on the town -- see a movie, drive around the country or play a round of golf. Do something that she thoroughly enjoys.

* Get Mom out of the kitchen and into a restaurant for brunch or dinner. She deserves the day off, especially if she's the family chef every other day of the year.

* Give Mom a gift that's just for her. It doesn't have to be big or expensive -- just something that says "I appreciate you" and reflects her taste and style. It's the thought and love behind that gift that's most meaningful to her.

* Send her a paper card -- not one that's e-mailed or store-bought. Jarvis proposed that we write Mom a letter just for her on Mother's Day. Letter writing is more personal than a greeting card.

You can start just about any tradition to mark Mother's Day. However you decide to express your feelings, do it in a way that fits your mother's style, and Mother's Day will be an unforgettable experience for both of you.