There comes a time in every daughter’s life when she realizes that Mom might’ve been right about a few things. Well, okay, about a lot of things. Like moisturizing nightly and wearing sunglasses. Welcoming new neighbors with cookies and attending funerals even when you don’t have time. The boyfriend who wasn’t good enough for you. The teacher who wasn’t hard enough on you.

Maybe raising your own kids has changed your perspective. Maybe you’ve just matured. But it’s time to write Mom a thank you note and tell her how much you appreciate the things she taught you, the beliefs she instilled in you and the good little habits she forced you to develop. You wouldn’t be you, if it weren’t for her.

I can see my Mom smiling as she reads my thank you card, realizing that at least one thing she taught me didn’t go in one ear and out the other. Writing thank you notes is important. I tell my kids the same thing.