How to Survive Mother’s Day Without Your Mother

Give yourself the gift of time

“When I was growing up my mom always made a big deal about wanting to spend time with us instead of getting gifts. For her, that meant spending an afternoon planting flowers together and talking. Now that my mother has passed and I’m a mother myself, I’ve followed her example of asking for gifts of time rather than things. I’m not as much of a gardener so I ask my family to do something outdoors with me. My favorite Mother’s Days have been spent hiking, playing mini golf, and going kayaking. It’s the perfect way to remember her and to stay true to myself as well.” —Mary R., 52, Westerville, OH. To capture the feelings you might have on these day, check out these poems on love, loss, and the meaning of life.