BY Missy Thompson

STAFF WRITER

In elementary school I never had to worry about getting something for my mom for Mother's Day. Teachers create projects for their students so they can give their moms a homemade special gift that moms can cherish.

In third grade, my class made wooden spoons with our photos pasted on for Mother's Day. Glitter paint outlined my third-grade picture and pink ribbon tied around the spoon and dangled at the handle.

My mom loved this spoon. Scattered around her house are many of the homemade gifts I've given her. After elementary school, teachers no longer set aside special projects for their students. So starting in junior high, I was left with coming up with an idea on my own, buying her a gift or making dinner -- with her help of course.

For the last several years, my sister and I have made a special meal -- one that usually involved something way too ambitious for us, plus dessert. These meals usually turn out just fine, but I'm not that great of a cook and neither is my sister.

I always want to get something special for my mom, but due to my lack of financial stability from being a college student, I decided to start taking, printing off and framing pictures for her. She absolutely loves these too. Two years ago I took a photograph of her cat, developed the film and made a print. She could see the time and effort I put into this gift and proudly displays it in her sewing room.

This year is no different, and I have a few photographs I could print and frame. I still don't have the kind of money to buy her a gift she deserves. So, I thought I would tell her how much I love and appreciate all she does in this column. (I know this will bring her to tears -- which is my intention).

Since my parents are empty nesters now, my mom loves it when my sister and I come over on Sundays for dinner -- we also do our laundry. Almost every time we're there, she has something for us. Sometimes it's a shirt she's made or something as simple as coupons she's cut out that she knows we need. She doesn't have to do these things, but I know she wants to.

It isn't until this one Sunday a year when I really think about all she's done for me for the past 21 years. When I was in high school she purposely set her work schedule so she would be off on Wednesdays to come to my cross country and track meets. She was quickly dubbed Mom by many members of the team because she handed out popsicles that always tasted so good after running three miles. I don't think she missed a single meet.

My mom is also an amazing seamstress. Most of the clothes I wear she makes and those also happen to be the ones I get the most compliments on. I always have to tell her what people say about them and that's what keeps her making me more shirts and pants. She volunteered to make costumes for the drama department even when I wasn't in the production. She would sit for hours on end in a cold auditorium watching bad one-acts -- from other schools -- during drama competitions.

Because my mom has been just as involved with the community and school programs as I have, she is fairly well known in the county. People who knew her from when I was in high school will see her around Tooele and go right up to her, give her a hug and call her Mom. She loves this almost as much as that wooden spoon.

I hope this constitutes a home-made gift. It's something that comes from the heart and will mean more to her than something from Bed Bath and Beyond.

Happy Mother's Day Mom, I appreciate everything you've done for me. Celebrating just one day a year is not enough to express my gratitude. I love you -- and I really hope this makes you cry.

missy@tooeletranscript.com