The best gift I ever gave to my mother was a tribute letter, which I read in front of our family.
That moment sealed a reconciliation twenty years earlier on a three-hour drive from San Antonio to Waco.
Mother’s outstanding qualities were wrapped inside a volatile temper.
Unforgiveness locked my spirit for years.
But a liberating three-hour drive from San Antonio to Waco broke the logjam of hurt and set us on the path to a good relationship.
Here’s how the drive unfolded.
Life-changing drive
Back and forth, we spilled emotions, asking . . .
- Why this?
- How could you?
- Where did that come from?
We were going at it like snakes.
Somehow, both of us listened between the hissing.
When I dropped her off, we stood outside the car and embraced for the longest time in tears.
Life-changing forgiveness
Freedom and joy flooded my soul at that moment.
Because for the first time, we understood each other.
Years of pain evaporated in that embrace.
I forgave her.
Shortly after, I learned about writing a tribute letter to your parents.
It’s pretty uncomfortable to test forgiveness in a homage letter.
I wrote about the influence of her…
- values
- character
- leadership
I read it to her in front of my siblings and all the grandchildren on Christmas Day 2008.
Tribute letter to mother
I wanted everyone in our family to know how much I love and respect Mildred Blaising.
After the reading, I gave her a framed copy, which she hung on her living room wall.
A tribute letter could be the best gift you could ever present to your mother.
Don’t wait until Christmas. Do it on Mother’s Day.
Your children and grandchildren will be blessed whether she is alive or not.
Have you written letters to or from your mother?
Every holiday I wrote letters to either both my parents or one in particular on their birthday or Mom’s and Dad’s days. Still having those has been a great source of comfort and joy as I reread and share them with my family. A great habit, that now my daughter does as well.
What a blessing, Steve, to receive those from your daughter and to reflect on those you wrote to your folks. I feel the same way. Thanks for sharing.