When you came into the world, she held you in her arms. You thanked her by wailing.
When you were one year old, she fed you and bathed you. You thanked her by crying all night.
When you were two years old, she taught you to walk. You thanked her by running away.
When you were three years old, she made all your meals with love. You thanked her by tossing your plate on the floor.
When you were four years old, she gave you some crayons. You thanked her by colouring the dining room table.
When you were five years old, she dressed you for the holidays. You thanked her by plopping into the nearest pile of mud.
When you were six years old, she walked you to school. You thanked her by, “I’m not going!”
When you were seven years old, she bought you a cricket ball. You thanked her by throwing it through the next-door-neighbour’s window.
When you were eight years old, she handed you an ice cream. You thanked her by dripping it all over your lap.
When you were nine years old, she paid for piano lessons. You thanked by not practicing.
When you were 10, she drove you all day, from soccer to gymnastics to many birthday parties. You thanked her by jumping out of the car and never looking back.
When you were 11, she took you and your friends to the movies. You thanked her by asking to sit in a different row.
When you were 12 years old, she warned you not to watch certain TV shows. You thanked her by waiting until she left the house.
When you were 13, she suggested a haircut that was becoming. You thanked her by telling her she had no taste.
When you were 14, she paid for a summer camp. You thanked her by forgetting to write.
When you were 15, she came home from work, looking for a hug. You thanked her by having your bedroom door locked.
When you were 17, she was expecting an importing call. You thanked her by being on the phone all night.
When you were 18, she cried at your high school. You thanked her by staying out partying.
When you were 19, she paid for your college tuition, drove you to campus. You thanked her by saying good-bye outside the dorm so you wouldn’t be embarrassed.
When you were 20, she asked whether you were seeing anyone. You thanked her by saying, “It’s none of your business.”
When you were 21, she suggested certain careers for your future. You thanked her by saying, “I don’t want to be like you.”
When you were 22, she hugged you at your college graduation. You thanked her by asking whether she could pay for a trip to Europe.
When you were 23, she gave you furniture for your first apartment. You thanked her by telling your friends it was ugly.
When you were 24, she met your fiancé and asked about your plans for the future. You thanked her by glaring and growling, “Muuhh-ther, please!”
When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and told you she loved you. You thanked her by moving halfway across the country.
When you were 30, she called with some advice on the baby. You thanked her by telling her, “Things are different now.”
When you were 40, she called to remind you of an relative’s birthday. You thanked her by saying you were “really busy right now.”
When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her. You thanked her by reading about the burden parents become to their children.
And then, one day, she quietly died. There’s no substitute for her. At times she may not be the best of friends, may not agree to our thoughts, she is still your mother!
