Bouquets are nice, but plants are better

What is more satisfying: clipping the ends off a bunch of flowers and putting them in a vase to enjoy for days or pulling a plant out of a small pot and nestling it into the soil to enjoy for years? I suppose the answer to that depends on who you are. For those with the mothering gene, I think the latter provides more of an outlet for that urge to tend to something beautiful and help it grow.

I think this year, I'll opt for a Mother's Day plant over the typical Mother's Day flowers. My mom is what I believe is called an empty-nester. This is a recent occurrence because I just graduated college and moved across the country, and my brother has been living elsewhere for a couple of years now. She has the cat to cuddle and feed and clean up after -- and of course there's always my dad to take care of -- but I think she would appreciate something that won't make demands or ignore the chores or bring dead lizards inside.

So, Mommy, enjoy the flowers from your son, but I'll always know that you loved the Mother's Day plant from your only daughter more. Those flowers will be beautiful for a little longer than a week if you treat them well, but the plant will remind you of me for years. Just don't let the cat eat it.