This week, I would like to use this small section of your Sunday paper to remind you that next week will be Mother’s Day.

We blinked.

And now, it is already mid-May. The month in which we are supposed to pay tribute to the woman whose every breath has been dedicated to our well being.

She is given one day of the year to be recognized and appreciated for the millions of little things and hundreds of big things she has done for you since that moment you took your very first breath.

So, what do you give someone like that?

Has there ever been a gift designed that could equal what your mother means to you?

Not yet. Not that I have been able to find anyway.

I mean, what kind of present do you buy for the person who would literally give up their life for you?

And that is exactly how a mother feels toward their child. Just ask one.

Mothers love their children far more than they ever loved themselves.

Now, I am aware many of you no longer have a mother whom you can physically see any longer.

But she is there. I know she is there. And I honestly believe that we should take the day and remember her all the same.

Those of you who no longer have a mom can still purchase a beautiful bouquet of flowers and visit her at her gravestone.

You can stand there and tell her all of the wonderful things and not-so-wonderful things that have happened to you during this past year.

You can spend the day looking through photo albums and showing your children and grandchildren her pictures.

You can share stories and tell them all about her, so that one day they, too, will be able to pass along those memories to their own families.

Because a mother should never be forgotten.

But that seems to be the way the world works. Doesn’t it?

I will never know exactly who my great, great grandmother was. I can barely remember who my great grandmother was.

But I am quite fortunate to remember who my grandma was. And we have passed that along to my children.

I am hoping the day will come when they will be able to share with their children those memories of her.

And then so on and so forth.

She was one of those rare people who was simply a good person. Always.

And someone like that should never be forgotten … no matter how many years may pass.

We aren’t guaranteed much time. We need to make those memories last, because our past is an important part of who we are.

I am blessed that my three boys know my mother extremely well. She helped raise them after all.

How could they forget?

She was the one who was right alongside me, helping take care of them while I went to school or was working one, two or five jobs.

I need for them to remember spending their days with her, recalling all of the fun they had in her presence.

To this day, they will still call and text her.

They still visit her whenever they come home.

She has been the rock for all of us, whether she believes it or not.

You see, mothers are more than just our mom.

They are our first teacher. They are our first housekeeper — constantly picking up after us.

They are our first chef.

Our first musician.

Our first friend.

A mother’s love is unlike any other you will ever have throughout your entire life.

She is the one who chose to give birth to you. She is the one who decided to keep you. To raise you.

When we cried, she held us.

When we were hungry, she fed us.

When we were dirty, she bathed and dressed us.

When we were bored, she played with us. When we were tired, she rocked us and told us bedtime stories.

Our mom always made sure that we were alright.

She took us to the doctor to get our shots. She ran us to the hospital whenever we were injured.

She took us to school on our first day, hesitatingly walking away, not wanting to let go and leave us behind.

She was at our first school play. Made cupcakes for classmates on our birthday.

She ensured Santa listened to our wants and made it a point the Easter Bunny hid our eggs.

She had an in with the Tooth Fairy.

She thought of everything.

She was our everything.

The word love and mom are synonymous with one another.

It really is that simple.

For those of you who are fortunate enough to still have your mother in your life, someone whom you can see, text or call, please make sure that you do.

She is waiting. I promise you she is waiting.

Because we all are waiting.

Waiting to hear your voice. Waiting to see your name come across our phone.

Waiting for you to let us know you are thinking about us today.

For me, it took until I became a mother myself to realized just what Mother’s Day truly means.

And it isn’t about purchasing expensive gifts.

It isn’t about going to a fancy restaurant or receiving a large bouquet of gorgeous roses.

You don’t have to order the finest chocolates Switzerland has to offer.

All you have to do is call.

All you have to do is text.

All you have to do is stop and give us a hug or quick kiss on the cheek.

All you have to do is tell us you love us.

That is all we need.

And any of the above will do.

We live for you. We breathe for you.

We would die for you.

A few moments of your time on this one day of the year would mean more than you could possibly ever know.

So please, remember your mother next Sunday.

Because no matter how you decide to pay tribute to her, I guarantee she will remember it for an eternity.

And if you can not get to a cemetery or if you can not find any photographs because she hated having her picture taken … put on Josh Groban’s “To Where You Are,” and simply listen …

“Who can say for certain?

Maybe you’re still here.

I feel you all around me.

Your memories so clear.

Deep in the stillness,

I can hear you speak.

You’re still an inspiration.

Can it be?

That you are my forever love.

And you are watching over me

From up above.

Fly me up to where you are

Beyond the distant star.

I wish upon tonight to see you smile.

If only for a while

To know you’re there.

A breath away’s not far

To where you are.

Are you gently sleeping

Here inside my dream?

And isn’t faith believing

All power can’t be seen.

As my heart holds you

Just one beat away

I cherish all you gave me, every day.

Cause you are my forever love.

Watching me from up above.

And I believe that angels breathe.

And that love will live on

And never leave.

Fly me up to where you are

Beyond the distant star.

I wish upon tonight to see you smile.

If only for a while

To know you’re there.

A breath away’s not far

To where you are.

I know you’re there.

A breath away’s not far

To where you are.”

(Stenger is the community editor for the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. She can be contacted at jstenger@heraldstaronline.com.)