By Kimberly Blaker

The role of mothers in shaping their daughters’ and sons’ lives is unsurpassed. Mothers teach us to love, be strong, be confident, persist, live life to its fullest, and be the best we can be.

Mother’s Day is this month. Give her a gift from your heart and your undivided time to make it a day she’ll treasure …

Mother’s Day Brunch — Serve your mom a scrumptious breakfast or take her out for Mother's Day brunch. If you prepare it yourself, the following menu will be sure to please: fruit salad, juice, waffles, or pancakes with her favorite berry topping, bacon or fresh sausage, omelets or eggs benedict, homemade hash browns, and coffee cake or Danishes. Don’t forget the fresh cut flowers for the table centerpiece.

Spring Blooms — Pick up Mom’s favorite annuals and perennials: begonias, petunias, violets, morning glories, poppies, marigolds, snapdragons, or mums. Enjoy a day sprucing up her flower garden and catching up on old times.

Mother/Daughter or Mother/Son Memories — Purchase a pre-designed record book to fill out and share with her. Or create your own memory scrapbook or journal. Include photos and memories about special times the two of you have had together; the most important things you remember about your mother from your childhood; how she has inspired you; and the times you look forward to in the future.

The Main Event — Surprise her with event tickets: the ballet, a concert, play or musical, favorite sporting event, comedy show, or dinner theater. Be sure to tell her you have something special planned (but not what), so she’ll be yours for the day.

Train Excursion — Make memories on a train ride enjoying the vivid colors of spring, blue skies, beautiful blossoms, and other sights.

Family Portrait — Schedule to have your family’s picture taken at a studio, or hire a photographer for a photoshoot in the park. Coordinate with family in advance on the formality and color scheme, so outfits match. Inform your mother how to dress for the day, but keep the specific reason a surprise.

The Power of Poetry — You don’t need to be a poet to write a special verse for your mother. Share how she influenced your life, or tell her just what she means to you. Then print it on stationery, matte and frame it.

A Little Pampering — Mothers spend many years pampering their children giving bubble baths, washing hair, and caring for them when they’re ill. Give your mother a special treat, a gift certificate for pampering at the spa where she can enjoy a Swedish massage, hair care, a manicure and pedicure, or a soothing facial.

Weekend Getaway —Put together a weekend package designed especially for your mom. Choose a city that offers excellent shopping, art museums, and cultural centers, or even a quaint historic town with neat shops, cafes, and parks. Leave the dates for the getaway open so she can make the trip at her convenience, or so the two of you can make plans together.

Keep it Simple — Plan a relaxing day together, enjoying the outdoors. Head to a nearby park where you can meander along nature trails, picnic, or take a bike ride.

Especially for Mothers — Buy a book for and about moms. Consider one of the following:

Mother: A Cradle to Hold Me by Maya Angelou

I Love You, Mom by Amylee Weeks

Why a Daughter Needs a Mom by Gregory E. Lang

Why a Son Needs a Mom by Gregory E. Lang

Mothersongs: Poems For, By, and About Mothers by Sandra M. Gilbert et al.

Mom, I Wrote a Book About You by M.H. Clark

Real Poems for Real Moms: From a Mother in the Trenches to Another by Rachel S. Donahue

Mom, Tell Me Your Story: Keepsake Journal by Susan Branch

You Are One Amazing Lady: Special Thoughts to Share With a Truly Wonderful Woman by Douglas Pagels

Dear Mother: The Hot Mess of Motherhood by Bunmi Laditan

Write an inscription inside the book’s front cover, including the date, so Mom can always remember the exact day she received your thoughtful gift! v

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com.