ANNIE'S MAILBOX(R) FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2010

Dear Annie: I came across this old Ann Landers column a few years back, after my mother passed away. Will you please print it for Mother's Day? -- Still Miss Her

Dear Still: Thank you for the poignant reminder. Here it is:

Today is my mother's birthday. For the first time since I was a little girl, I cannot give her a gift. After I married, we lived only a mile apart. I always managed to run in and drop off a present I had picked up at the last minute. Sometimes I didn't even wait long enough to have it gift-wrapped. No matter what it was, she'd smile and say, "You knew what I wanted, didn't you, dear?" Then I'd head for the door, and she would sigh, "I wish you could sit down and visit for a little while. You are always in such a hurry." My stock answer was, "I wish I could, Mom, and I will one of these days, we'll have a really good visit, but today, I have so many things I have to do, and I must get going."

For the life of me, I can't remember what I was doing that was so important, but I was always running. "One of these days" will never come because Mom passed away nine years ago. For the first time in her wonderful, unselfish life, she was the one who didn't have time for me. She had a massive heart attack and went so fast. I'm not sure she heard me say, "I love you, Mom."

Time has a sneaky way of slipping away. We all get so involved in our own little worlds, and before you know it, the tomorrows are yesterdays. If I could encourage just one person to stop, no matter how busy, and find an hour to spend and visit his or her mother this Mother's Day, it will be the best gift you could give your mom. -- I'll Miss Her Forever

Dear Annie: My siblings and I are planning to take our 90-year-old mother out for dinner on Mother's Day. We'd like to surprise her by singing that old song that spells out all the letters in "Mother" and says what they stand for. Can you help us out with the words? -- Sentimental Daughter in Chicago

Dear Sentimental: The song was written in 1915, lyrics by Howard Johnson and music by Theodore Morse. Those interested in the melody can probably find a version online. They sure don't make 'em like this anymore: M - O - T - H - E - R "M" is for the million things she gave me, "O" means only that she's growing old, "T" is for the tears she shed to save me, "H" is for her heart of purest gold; "E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining, "R" means right, and right she'll always be, Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER," A word that means the world to me.

Dear Readers: Every year, readers send us poems and essays about mothers and ask us to print them on Mother's Day. Enjoy! Mother's Dictionary of Meanings (Author Unknown) Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert. Feedback: The inevitable result when the baby doesn't appreciate the strained carrots. Full Name: What you call your child when you're mad at him. Grandparents: The people who think your children are wonderful even though they're sure you are not raising them right. Hearsay: What toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word. Show Off: A child who is more talented than yours. Sterilize: What you do to your first baby's pacifier by boiling it, and to your last baby's pacifier by blowing on it and wiping it with saliva. Top Bunk: Where you should never put a child wearing Superman jammies. Two-Minute Warning: When the baby's face turns red and she begins to make those familiar grunting noises.

Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Annie's Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM