Reading Story
Thank You Mom

When you were eight years old, your mom handed you an ice cream. You thanked her by dripping it all over your lap.

When you were nine years old, she paid for your piano lessons. You thanked her by not bothering to practice.

When you were ten years old, she drove you around all day, from soccer to football to one birthday party after another. You thanked her by jumping out of the car and never looking back.

When you were eleven years old, she took you and your friends to the movies. You thanked her by asking to sit in a different row.

When you were twelve years old, she warned you not to watch certain television shows. You thanked her by waiting until she left the house.

When you were thirteen, she suggested a haircut that was becoming. You thanked her by telling her she had no taste.

When you were fourteen, she paid for a month away at summer camp for you. You thanked her by forgetting to write a single letter.

When you were fifteen, she came home from work, looking for a hug. You thanked her by having your bedroom door locked.

When you were sixteen, she taught you how to drive her car. You thanked her by taking it every chance you could.

When you were seventeen, she was expecting an important call. You thanked her by being on the phone all night.

When you were eighteen, she cried at your high school graduation. You thanked her by staying out partying until dawn.

When you were nineteen, she paid for your college tuition, drove you to campus and carried your bags. You thanked her by saying good-bye outside the dorm so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of your friends.

When you were twenty-five, she helped to pay for your wedding and she cried and told you how deeply she loved you. You thanked her by moving halfway across the country.

When you were fifty, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her. You thanked her by reading about the burden parents become to their children.

And then, one day, she quietly died. And everything you never did came crashing down like thunder in your heart. If you love your Mom and you thank her deeply, it is never too late to do something for her that touches her heart.