How can I thank my mom?

[Aimee]

After my break-up back in January, my ex left me with a buttload of debt.
During our relationship I had gotten 1) A Discover Credit Card & 2) A Best Buy Credit Card.
I have really good credit. He doesn't. So that's how that happened. (Anything to please your man, right? ha!)

Well...I tried to pay them off after I moved into a new place.
I was barely making the min. payment each month. It was getting rough.
Right now in my bank account I have: $5.00.

Now to my problem:
My mother is aware of this. She paid off both of my cards. BOTH OF THEM.
Approx. $1,350!
Yeeeeeeah. I have a freakin' fantastic mom. (& it only took me 24years to realize this!)

I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am. Words can't express it. But at the same time ... I feel completely awful.
We aren't rich. That was not an easy thing for my mom to do. She is my hero.
I cried (and I'm crying right now too!) all the way home.

I have no idea how to repay her. Obviously, I don't have the money or...well...this situation would have never happened.
I want to do something for her... but what? What can possibly compare to that?

Does anybody have any idea?

Thanks. 🙂

 

[Thatsecretchord]

She will know! Your her daughter so doing what she did doesn't require any thanks. I've been in the same situation and I've had plenty of mates who have been in the same shut and have been bailed out and have seen it as they're god given right. I'm sure your old dear is just happy to have a daughter that appreciates A, the value of money and B, the helping hand. The biggest thanks you can give her is not making the same mistake twice.

 

[Dussicar]

You'll eventually find a way. Probably not soon, though. Perhapse when you are older.

 

[Myriads]

It's simple.

A phone call to say thank you, and to convey how much it meant to you. And perhaps a sign that you learned a lesson about going into debt for a boyfriend.

Beyond that she knows. And once you have some extra cash, dropping her $25 or $50 a pop til you've paid her back will be more then enough.

Myriads

 

[Antarion]

Hoo! Kudos to your mom! I can't honestly say I've ever been in that situation. I think I've been out of the house for... Three weeks now?

But IF I were ever in that situation I know exactly what I would do.

Go up to her house on a free day and clean her house. Maybe not all of it, but quite a bit of it.
Hang out with her some. See how she's doing up there, does she have any concerns? Does she miss you?
Cook them something! Anything you can! Look up the recipie for sweet and sour chicken. It's comparably easy to make and tastes amazing.

If they live in another state, just call them once and a while. Don't make them think they just dropped money to someone who doesn't care anymore. And my last bit of advice...

Don't forget mothers day.
Don't forget fathers day.
Don't forget either of their birthdays
Don't forget to not forget.

I dunno, that's what I'd do.

 

[chicago]

Everything everyone else has said and who knows, maybe someday (in the future, if you have the funds) you surprise her by paying her mortgage for a month out of the blue, or something similar. I was thinking about someday, if I had the cash, doing something similar for one of my sisters since I know it would make things a lot easier for them for a bit. Being able to give a loved one something that actually makes an impact on their lives for the better, even a little, feels great. Yeah, I know, sounds cheesy, but seriously, it does. I'm sure your mom is on cloud 9 seeing how touched you were by what she did. 🙂

 

[nosforatiop]

Obviously loves you, I'd say the best way to return it is to spend time w her. If she's at a distance take the time to chat with her, I'm sure it's all she really wants in return.

 

[Jagermeistered]

There is no "one thing" you can do. And, nobody here knows what would make your mom happy. You know her more then all of us put together. Just do and give her the stuff that makes her happy and smile when you can.

 

[Candygirl]

The only thing I'd have to add would be not making the same mistake twice. "Anything for your man" pretty much sums it up. But you have to look out for yourself first. Love can be a tricky thing. But show your mother that you learned something from this experience too. Believe me, that will go a long way.

 

[Bohemianne]

Visit her often, help her in the house, cook for her, etc... Then pay her back as soon as possible and show how much you care.

 

[Aimee]

Thank you everyone for the responses!
I agree -- just calling her / seeing her / helping her out will be all she wants from me.
A mother's love truly is endless!
I said it once -- and I'll say it a million times more -- she is my HERO.

I really like the cooking for her idea.
I think I might just have to do that. 🙂

 

[asutickler]

I buy my parents lots of cool stuff. They act thrilled, and some of it they actually even use... But really, they're never happier than if I just drop by out of the blue or even randomly call them.

If your mom is anything like my folks, then spending time with her is about the best thing you can give. 🙂

 

[Sodahead]

I like what the others users have suggested. You can also pay it forward someday. Perhaps when one of your loved ones or friends is in need one day, you'll be able to help them. Just knowing that she's raised a stand up woman and reliable friend/family member will be all your mother could ever want!