For Mother's Day: Do Something

We in the PCBC Library have a particular interest in Mother’s Day. All of us have a mother, and many of us are mothers. Some of us are grandmothers, too. We therefore respectfully take the liberty of speaking on behalf of most, if not all, mothers with regard to May 8, Mother’s Day.

Here’s what we would say: Do something for your mom for Mother’s Day.
Notice we didn’t say, “Do something huge, or expensive, or wildly creative.” We certainly wouldn’t discourage anyone from making a grand gesture or giving some lovely present, or devising a delightful surprise. If you are so inclined, by all means go for it. Your mom might protest, but, trust us—she will be thrilled.
When we advise people to “do something,” we’re thinking of the little gestures, too. A card or just a note or drawing is great. A phone call might be exactly what your mom wants. Spend a little time on a thoughtful e-mail and we bet even that will warm her heart.
If you’ve been paying attention, your mom might have dropped some hints about something she’d like. Some of us wish our family would figure out meals for this one day of the year. Others crave a day to just chill. Your mom might be hoping for a special gift or experience.
But again, it doesn’t matter what you come up with. The whole point is to let your mom know you think about her fondly from time to time. After all, we can assure you that your mom thinks about you. All. The. Time.
Here are a couple of suggestions of how the PCBC Library might aid you in doing something.

1. Make a donation to dedicate a book in our collection to your mother. We’ll be glad to help you with this. This is especially gratifying if your mother has passed away.
2. Buy a book from our curated selection and make it a gift.
3. Pay for your mom to come to the Illuminated Journaling Workshop with Jann Gray on Tuesday, May 24, 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Ellis Parlor. Even better, come with her. It’s $15 per person. Register online or contact Emily Martin, elmartin@pcbc.org or 214-860-3993 to sign up.
4. Come check out a book your mother would like, and take it to her. You might even read it to her. After all, your presence and attention are most like the number one thing your mom seeks for Mother’s Day and every day.

As you might guess, we have tons of books that would be appropriate for any mother—or any child—on Mother’s Day. If you want a sentimental children’s book, we certainly have you covered. But we picked one that amused us for our Book of the Week, If Mom Had Three Arms, by Karen Kaufman Orloff.