Make this day better because you are in it.

For those who know me, you know that I am obsessed with this simple message I taught my kiddos. This message is called "Make this day better because you are in it." In a nutshell, my "cubs" were assigned each day to find someone less fortunate and to make their day better.... somehow, someway. As they returned from school each day, we sat in a chair by the window and they were to share with me how they made the day better because they were in it. This was done before homework, before snack but always after bathroom break :).

I want to share a story about Trudy Triner, who had used this very concept in a very personal way. Trudy attended a leadership conference and was challenged to strengthen her efforts to be a better team player. Trudy took this personally and later asked her mother: “What can I do to be a better daughter?”

Here is an interview from Marshall Goldsmith and Trudy Triner:

MG: Trudy, tell us about your mom and what you learned when you asked her what you could do to be a better daughter.

Trudy: My mom was in her early 80s, lived alone in rural Arkansas, down a country road almost a mile from her nearest neighbor. She wasn’t in the best of health, but she was spunky, loved her life, and was determined to stay independent. The high point of her day was going to get her mail, which came to a big country mailbox by the road. She walked almost a quarter of a mile to get there. There were no sidewalks, so getting there took a lot of effort, and she wore an emergency alert necklace, just in case she should fall.

When I asked her what I could do to be a better daughter, she simply said, “Send me more mail. When I walk all the way out to the mailbox and there’s nothing there, I feel sad.”

I have to tell you, the thought of her looking into an empty mailbox day after day broke my heart. I hugged her and told her I’d do better.

MG: I can understand how you must have felt. What did you do?

TT: I started what we called our “Make Mom Happy By Mail” campaign. I sent a steady stream of mail for two and a half years—until she passed away less than a week after being diagnosed with cancer.

I wanted her to find something interesting or fun almost every time she opened that box. I carried stamps with me all the time and was constantly on the lookout for interesting things that would fit into an envelope. A quick stamp, and off it went. I did it several days a week.

MG: Wasn’t it hard to find things to send so often? I think most people just think of sending greeting cards to their parents. What could you possible think of to send so often?

TT: No, it wasn’t hard. Actually, it was a lot of fun. I sent flower seeds, newspaper clippings, magazines, tea bags, money, books, Hershey bars, and dozens of other things—anything I could think of that would make her smile.

And since she loved to know what was going on in my life, I also sent movie stubs, bus tickets, to-do lists, grocery receipts, restaurant menus, and performance evaluations—dozens of day-to-day things. A friend called it a “modern archaeological dig” into my day-to-day life. My mom loved it.

MG: And then you started a website and a blog and eventually wrote a book about making elderly relatives happy called Make Mom Happy by Mail. What are you hoping to accomplish?

TT: I’m hoping to change people’s lives by reminding them that our moms, dads, and grandparents won’t be here forever and that there’s a wonderful opportunity to make them happy right now. And it can all start by just asking, “What can I do to be a better son, daughter, granddaughter, or friend?” My book and blog offer hundreds of suggestions for ways to make them happy.

MG: Reading the book, I found your initial concept grew beyond the idea of sending mail. How did that happen?

TT: When I started doing research for the book, I learned that not everyone has great relationships with their parents. So there’s a chapter about mending relationships while there’s time. There are many wonderful stories. For instance, there is one about a man in his 70s who mends his relationship with his dad, who is in his 90s.

At first, I hadn’t considered the parent with Alzheimer’s disease, but then I learned what people are doing to bring joy to those loved ones and included their ideas in the chapter, “It’s never too late.” I even heard from caregivers that mail can still be important for a surprising reason: It seems that reading a letter to a patient helps the caregiver feel closer to them as a person, which can actually have a positive impact on their care giving.

MG: There are dozens of books about the issue of dealing with older relatives. What’s different about Make Mom Happy by Mail?

TT: This is an important issue for many people, and there are lots of great books about taking care of elderly relatives. So in my book, I list many of them in the 40-page resource section.

Make Mom Happy by Mail focuses not on the problems of old age, but on the possibilities. It’s all about doing what you can to bring happiness, fun, and sometimes even happy resolution. People tell me it’s uplifting and inspiring. And that makes ME happy.

What can we do for our parents? Ask them.....

1. It will be good for them. Even if there’s nothing they would like, they will be happy you cared enough to ask.

2. It will be good for you. The No. 1 regret children have when their parent dies is: “Why didn’t I let them know how much I appreciated all they did for me and how much I cared before it was too late?” Later on you will be grateful that you did.

MG: Yes, I agree. My mom’s gone now. I miss her very much. But I’ve found great comfort in knowing that I was able to show my love and appreciation for her almost every day for the last years of her life. There are no regrets and no “if only’s.”

For this peace if priceless.

Make this day better because you are in it.

Somehow, Someway.