Hallmark doesn’t necessarily say it best. In fact, the Mother’s Day cards I’ve most treasured are the ones printed on construction paper and decorated with crayon-colored flowers.

“Mom, thank you for being there to clean up after me or whatever,” wrote my 10-year-old son in large purple letters. Two years earlier, his Mother’s Day message was composed in oranges and pinks, with exclamation marks after every sentence. “Because theres one thing I like more than a bike and that is my mother,” he wrote.

There were tulips drawn on the back of another handmade card, a yellow sun with orange rays, and the familiar verse in red and blue: “Roses are red, Vilets are blue, Sugar is sweet, And so are you!!”

My daughter’s cards had lots of rainbows on them, sometimes made of six colors, and perfectly arched above green grass. “I hope your day is as happy as can be, To show you of all the love and joy, that you bring to me!” Her verse was printed neatly, and her name – her full name, to be exact – was proudly signed in cursive writing.

There were a few joint cards “To Our Mother,” with birdbaths and bluebirds and roses and frilly borders on them. Another, for some reason, had a drawing of a lobster boat on the front, and a simple message inside: “We love you.”

“When I am very angry, or even when I am sad. You are there to comfort me, and for that I am glad. When I do something wrong or … something right. You are always there to help me, not just sit tight.” The rhyme of a child on a yellow card was addressed to “My Loving Mother.” I wouldn’t swap that for 100 Hallmark cards, such as the one years later that said, “Mother, we may not always see things eye to eye, but we always share love heart to heart.”

Another Mother’s Day note was hastily scribbled on the pad we used for grocery lists. “I hope you have a wonderful day. I do love you very, very much.”

A peach-colored card with seashells on the front said, “Thank you, Mom … for the happiness you’ve given, for your understanding, too, for love and trust, but mostly, Mom, thanks for being you.” That was an Ambassador Card, signed by both teen-agers.

As the years went by, the “bought” cards changed from mushy sentiments to humorous. “A mother is always kind and thoughtful, always more than willing To add that special, loving touch that makes life more fulfilling.” That was “To Mother from both of us.” Then, there was “Mom, remember that day when the doctor who delivered me said to you – “Look, Lady, I just deliver ’em, I don’t explain ’em!”

And the one not too many years ago that read “Mom, you always created such a warm, comfortable home … you’re a great housekeeper and cook … you’re such an understanding listener … so sensitive and caring … and you’re such fun to be with. Can I move back home?”

Inside, the card said: “Scared you, didn’t I?”

But the cards I cherish are the ones that simply said, in one version or another, “I’m glad you are my mom.”

So am I. So very, very glad.