My Mother's Day Present to my Mother

My Mother is 83 years old, but very sharp and active. I decided this year that one of my gifts to her would be a notebook. In the notebook is a letter that reads: "Dear Mom: I have a special project for you. It is very important, so I ask that you don'delay.

In this box are 5 pages of questions about your life, an acid-free pen, and a notebook with acid-free lined paper for you to reply to these questions. It's going to take you some time and effort, but it will be a gift to your children and to the generations that come after you. There are a lot of things from your childhood that you and I have talked about, but I would like to have these things written in YOUR handwriting. Please be as detailed and sentimental as you like. These are YOUR memories, YOUR impressions, YOUR feelings. Let these words come from YOU, from your heart. Tell the good and the bad. Sometimes the sad and bad things are the most interesting.

When you have finished, I will copy the pages on more acid-free paper and put them in an album for each of your children and grandchildren. I think this will be fun for you, and it certainly will become one of our most precious possessions. I guess you might say this will be YOUR Mother's Day present to your children. I love you so much, Sue."

I placed the 5 pages of numbered questions in plastic sheet protectors to make it easier for her to use them. I placed 100 sheets of lined acid-free paper in the notebook and gave her 50 extra sheets in case she needs them.

It occurred to me that some of you may wish to do the same thing for your mothers and fathers or grandparents(for their birthday or for Christmas). If you would like a list of the questions, e-mail your name and address to me at [email protected] and I will be happy to mail the questions to you. You probably will have to customize them for your Mom or your Dad (or grandparents).

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Scrapper Sue

Sue~
What a wonderful idea...unfortunately, I lost my Mom several years ago, however, it might be a nice idea for me to do the questions for MY children and grandchildren!
I would really appreciate a copy of the questions! Thanks!
Bunny
[email protected]

This is such a wonderful, loving idea!

Sue that's such an awesome idea! This is something that is so important and many of us never even get to the asking questions part.

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Megan:
A person who always strives to do her best-

I am new here but I will share my feelings anyway. That post touched me. I lost my mother 2 years ago. She was only 51 years old. I am so sad - she keep pictures but never wrote stories and never told them all either. I am constantly wracking my brian for any tidbit she might have shared. I want my kids to know her like I did. After I got married and had kids - she was my best friend. I am saddened by her lost. I really miss her today. I do have a gift though, about 6 months after her death when the pain was the realest and greatest I found out I was pregnant! This was after the docs said I might never have another one. I had a little girl. Which I firmly believe my mom sent down from heaven to me. There is nothing in my faith to make me believe this but its in my heart. And I believe my baby- Francine Noramay named after my mother, her mother and her sister who all died too early - has helped heal my pain and my family's pain. I love her beyond what I thought was possible. Well I am crying too much. Why I shared this I dont know but please treasure your moms and your past. Its a gift just like my daughter is and I only hope the heritage album I am working on - of my family and my own past filled with everything I can remember will help her rememeber too her namesakes and her histories.Mindy

Hi Mindy!
Sometimes it is easier to share the feelings closest to our hearts where we are more anonymous...I lost my mom (and a piece of my heart) a long time ago...too soon ...things will never be the same but they do get better... My daughter is now grown and newly married and we are very close...God's gift...Amen!
Happy Mother's Day!
Bunny

I think this is a wonderful idea. Wish I would have done something like this much sooner, only with my father. He does not have many days left with us and the family is trying to cope. When things calm down a little I am going to have my mother do this maybe she can write something about her life and dads. Thanks for the great idea.

Jane

Thanks for all the thoughts about my project. I took it to my Mom yesterday, and she was thrilled at the suggestion. I also made a notebook for my sister (age 57), and she was tickled too. I've heard from a lot of the ladies on this board, and am mailing them (snail mail) these pages. I an a computer novice and had trouble getting the pages to e-mail from My Documents, but will be more than happy to mail these pages to any of you that want them. Just e-mail me your name and address (e-mail me at [email protected]) and I'll get them to you pronto. Now I've decided to make a notebook for all my aunts, uncles, and cousins. If even part of my family responds, think of what a fantastic family history we'll have.

And those of you who are still young or even middle age might want to consider doing these questions yourself. We never know how long we will be on this earth, and it would be nice for our children and grandchildren to be able to share a part of our own youth and lives.

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Scrapper Sue