Mother's Day | Pay it Forward

This week I met a girl, a teenage girl in fact, in the grocery store magazine/greeting card aisle. She was looking at magazines, and I at Mother's Day cards. I needed some input on a few cards so I turned to ask for her opinion.

During our small talkings the girl said "I 'ain got no mother".

"Oooh, what happened, you couldn't stay out late" I said, waiting for the "my-mother-just-don't-understand-me" answer.

"No, my mother died when I was six" the girl said.

I wouldn't dare ask for more detail, but at that moment, I knew she was hurting. I can't count the number of times I've heard that phrase. A lot of children are left without mommy for many reasons.

Did you know? In the U.S. Between 1980-1998 51,473 women died leaving 97,395 orphaned children.

According to the United States Health and Human Services, the number of Children in Public Foster Care Waiting to be Adopted: 1999 thru 2003 is a staggering 119,349.

A Place to Call Home: The Amazing Success Story of Modern Orphanages

Are you a mother? Do you know how lucky you are?
Do you have a mother? Do you know how lucky you are?
I bet that girl I met in the Grocery store would agree.

This Mother's Day, know how special you are and remember the children out there who wish they had you.

After reading about a school in the UK, who banned Mother's Day Cards, because it didn't want to upset children without a mother--it got me to thinking.

This Mother's Day millions of Mother's will receive lots of beautiful cards, gifts, trips, flowers, etc., giving you much deserved praises. However, you can double your Mother's Day joy.

Start by creating Mother's Day Cards for the children that do not have "mommy". In it you might write 'You are so adorable, and special. You will make any Mommy happy'.

Take some time out and find an orphanage. Drive 100, 200, 300 miles if you have to.

Let the Orphanage know your plans, you might
want to drop the cards off, or meet with the staff, so you can perhaps personalize your cards.

Some Orphanages are stricter than others, so if you can meet with the kids, go for it.

Hug and hug and hug, oh, and cry too.

You're gonna love the way you feel. I guarantee it.