Instead of giving my mom a gift, my mom gave me an extraordinary gift yesterday. (And now I feel guilt!)

My folks seemed to call out of the blue–I have a feeling it was inspired though. My dad handed my mom the phone as he had something he supposedly needed to do at the moment (I think it was a prompting), so I could talk to my mom.

I was so relieved to hear her voice, and then I let my frustrations I had been holding in the last couple weeks just pour out.

My mom gave me the gift of her listening to me. She also gave her time.

Even though I couldn’t see her, I was ready to picture her wagging her finger at some of my terrible feelings that have crept up in the last couple weeks. She didn’t.

I then pictured her nodding and having that look of understanding. I could see it when I paused. She listened with empathy and totally got where I was coming from. I felt like a little kid, stomping my feet as I said, “It’s not fair!” She didn’t seem to mind though.

Once my inner Debbie Downer vanished, my dad came back on the phone. My mind was clear, and we could all have a reasonable and uplifting conversation.

My mom listening was so powerful! And she does it all the time by the way.

She can lift a burden within minutes! It just comes naturally.

I love you, Mom! Happy Mother’s Day!

Photos from personal collection except the yellow flowers that come from pixabay.com.