Written by Peter Decato, Esquire
On this Mother’s Day, I will think of my own mother, just as I suspect you will think of your own.
My mother died 28 years ago; yet, I think of her daily. I doubt that a day has gone by since her death when I don’t think of my mother. I think of how kind she was to me; how generous she was to me; and, how gentle she was with me.
There is a rock in front of the Carter-Witherell Center in Lebanon. While the rock announces the Irene A. Decato Park, the park is actually dedicated to mothers generally. It thanks the mothers who encourage their children to engage in recreational pursuits.
We know these mothers. These are the mothers who act like taxi drivers. They cart car loads of kids from event to event. They buy the cookies, sing the songs, and yell encouragement. These are the mothers who are omnipresent. They never leave our side. They guide us through our early years as a ship captain guides a ship through a canal. They keep us in line. They steer us – ever so carefully – into and beyond adulthood.
I can’t begin to tell you how many things I learned from my mother. I hope you, too, can say the same – that you learned from your mother. When people were sick, my mother wouldvisit them. When people needed something, my mother was there for them.
When people died, my mother – a hairdresser by trade – would do their hair. I saw these things; took note of these things; and learned from those things. Most mothers are like this. They are generous and kind.
Take note of how wonderful your mother is – and has been for many years. I was Irene’s son. I loved being Irene’s son. I hope all of you liked being children – your mother’s children. We all try to leave a legacy in life. When a mother is done her work and herlegacy is that of being a kind, generous and gentle soul, she has left her mark.
I know many mothers like this. I applaud each of them. They are the silent contributors to our society. They work in the darkness and in the quiet of the day and night. We don’t recognize them enough. They ask for little, they just do what needs to be done.
This country is built on the shoulders of hard-working families. At the core of family life is the woman. She is the heart and often the soul of the family unit.
So – this Mother’s Day, more than any other, reach out to your mother.

Tell your mother how proud you are to have them as your mother. Acknowledge what they’ve done for you for most assuredly, they’ve done plenty.
Raise a glass, give them a salute, hug them – do whatever – but tell them they are wonderful because most assuredly they are.

a purple label with Thank you on it and flowers in the background
** Note: Slight blurriness, best at smaller sizes