The conclusion of a research conducted by Salary.com, a firm based in Waltham, Massachusetts reported their findings this week. Salary.com specializes in determining compensation.

Forty thousand (40,000) mothers responded online to Salary.com explaining their job duties and how many hours they worked each week. It was reported the typical mother puts in a 92-hour workweek and works at least ten jobs. In order of hours spent per week on these duties, they are: housekeeper, day-care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive officer and psychologist. Salary.com figured out the median salaries for each position and calculated the average number of hours worked at each, and the firm came up with $138,095, which they said was three percent higher than last year's results.

Gospel artist Shirley Caesar did a remake of a country gospel song in 1975. I was reminded of the following lyrics as I read this report.

"For the nine months I carried you holding you inside me, no charge. For the nights I sat up with doctored you and prayed for you, no charge. For the time and tears and the costs through the years, there is no charge. When you add it all up the full cost of my love is no charge. For the nights filled with gray and the worries ahead; for the advice and the knowledge and the costs of your college no charge. For the toys, school, and clothes and for wiping your nose, there's no charge son. When you add it all the full cost of my love is no charge."

One must give Salary.com credit for their wisdom in not attempting to put a monetary value on a Mother's love. Positions the survey failed to include in a mom's job duties were: doctor and nurse, Ambassador of Peace/Referee, coach, personal shopper, seamstress, hair stylist, and liaison specialist. The survey said even a mom who works full-time outside of the home puts in $89,939 worth of work as mothers.

We pay tribute to all mothers everywhere. One does not have to have conceived and given birth to be considered a mother. There are males who are fulfilling the role of "mother" today. There are mothers who gave life to their babies, only to give up their babies in the hopes of a better life.

If your work is your family, your contribution is immeasurable. Moms wear many hats. They just do what needs to be done. A day is set aside to give honour where it is due. Telephone companies have reported for years Mother's Day is the busiest call-day of the year. This seems rather appropriate to me.

All of the job duties listed does not a mother make. It is what's inside her heart.

The gospel song, No Charge, ends with these lyrics:

"Well you know when I think about that, I think about the day that Jesus went out to Calvary and gave his life as a ransom for me. When I think on the words "If any man be in Christ he's a new creature," I like to think about the very minute that He shed his blood. My debt was paid in full and I want you to know today when you add it all up the full cost of real Love is no charge."

A Mother's love is priceless. Mother's Day is every day!

Copyright © 2007 by Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for Life

It is that time of year again when we pay tribute to the single, most important lady in our lives--our mom. Mother's day is often a day filled with gifts and activities as we try to make it as special for her as possible. And because mother knows best, she probably does not even want you to go out for your way just to get her something extraordinary or expensive. This may be a good opportunity to introduce her to something simple yet novel--gourmet coffee.

Even if your mother stays at home and does not work, keep in mind that she is kept busy by numerous household chores. Giving her something complicated like electronic items may just end up with the gift being neglected because she simply does not have the time to use it. Food and beverage items are most likely closer to her heart especially if she spends a lot of time in the kitchen.

Most reputable coffee vendors pack their products in shiny, well-designed foil bags that make them elegant gifts. Bundling different types in a basket makes the gift even more classy. Aside from being simple and elegant, here are a few more reasons why gourmet coffee makes a wonderful gift for mom:

• Different flavors to choose from. There is always a coffee flavor to delight anybody's palate--from premium, exotic Hawaiin Kona coffee and Blue Mountain coffee to flavored coffee types to the regular house blends. The choices are many. Some vendors even offer a sampler package where you get a little bit of this and that.


• Brings out the scientist in mom. Some of the greatest discoveries were made in the kitchen. We will not even attempt to expound on this reason. Just leave it to mom to mix, match, blend, or shake the coffee and come up with one of her amazing kitchen creations.


• Make her learn something new. Notice how some of those fancy packs of coffee have an entire short story printed at the back? Give mom a gift basket and she should have some good reading especially when her favorite magazine subscription does not arrive on time.


• Leaves no mess in her kitchen. All she has to do is open up the bag, scoop out the appropriate amount, pour it in the coffee maker and that is pretty much it.


• Gives mom something to brag to her friends about. When mom goes out with her group or chats with her friends on the phone, she is sure to tell them about the great new coffee she just discovered, thanks to you.


• Something handy to serve her visitors. And you can be sure she will let her visitors know who gave her the wonderful coffee.


• A gift that keeps giving. Mom does not have to think too hard next time she has to give a gift to relatives or friends. She will just give the same kind of coffee you have given her, her relatives and friends will love her for it, and she will be the star.

So as you can see, nothing makes a more versatile gift than gourmet coffee. The challenge for you now is to find out what kind of coffee maker she has, whether she can grind the coffee herself and maybe whether she needs a new coffee mug. Once you have all that information, shopping is the easy part especially if you choose to do it online. Your knowledge and expertise in gourmet coffee will guide you along the way because this time around, you know best.