A Mother's Heart Knows

Sometimes, a mom just knows.

You hear silence from the playroom -- and you know someone is eating the Play-Dough. Again.

You hear wild splashing from the bathroom -- and yet no water is running. You know someone has decided to float their boat in Lake Flushy.

You watch your two-year-old edge toward the pot of dirt on the deck. "No, no," you warn. But you see the gleam in his eye, and you know -- that fist is going to be full of mud in two seconds.

And sometimes, you watch your six-year-old walk bravely into a room full of unknown and larger children. You know it's time for her to start taking her first steps into independence. Yet you also know your heart is going with her.

Margaret McSweeney also knows -- which is why she's written this adorable hardcover gift book called "A Mother's Heart Knows." It's a beautiful poem about all the truths harbored in a mother's heart.

A mother's heart knows in the still of the night.
A mother's heart knows when her child is all right.
A mother's heart knows when to offer to guide.
A mother's heart knows when to step to the side.

Not only is Margaret a mother of two daughters herself, but she knows the gift of a sweet mother. Her own mom, Carolyn Rhea, died shortly before Mother's Day in 2003, and the book "A Mother's Heart Knows" is dedicated to her.

No coincidence, Carolyn was also an author, who wrote nine books herself. Says Margaret, "Her last book, "When Grief is Your Constant Companion," was written about losing my dad. It turned out to be her final gift to me. She was diagnosed with leukemia as the book was being published. Mom's book helped me through my own process of losing her."

Personally, my favorite line in the book was, "A mother's heart knows when to knock on the door," simply because it made me wonder when my children will know when to knock on the door. (Can I get an amen? Or am I the only mom who never goes potty without an audience?)

This truly is a sweet gem of a book -- and a perfect Mother's Day gift. Because moms also know it's hard enough to get dinner on the table each night, much less shop for a great gift, I'm going to give this book away. (Hello, Bloggy Giveaways! Is this not perfect timing, or what?) Just leave me a comment on this post, and I'll draw a random name on Sunday, April 27. The book will get shipped early next week to the winner, so it gets there in plenty of time for Mother's Day.

Margaret is also running a "My Favorite Mom" spa basket contest at her web site. Write something about your mother or someone who is like a mother to you, share the story here, and you could win one of two spa baskets. She also plans to post the stories, with your permission, on her blog.