Since my mom died two years ago, Mother's Day has become a holiday I have a hard time dealing with. I'm sure I'm not alone.

Hearing my friends talk about taking their mothers out to eat, going to church with them, taking them shopping, even simply having a long phone conversation usually leaves me depressed. I'm happy for my friends -- just sad for me.

The fact that I have no children exacerbates the situation. Add that to the fact I have no family in easy driving distance, and you have the recipe for a very depressing day.

The last few weeks, I have been pondering how I can make this Mother's Day different -- how I can remember my mom without feeling sad or depressed. Here are some ideas I've come up with:

I am a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County. It builds simple, affordable housing for those in need. We currently are raising funds for our second build, which will be in Hays. On Friday and Saturday, we will be delivering Mother's Day flowers for local florists.

Mother's Day is one of the biggest holidays of the year for florists. Habitat volunteers will receive a fee for each delivery we make. We need two-person teams to make these deliveries -- a driver with an SUV or minivan, who knows their way around Hays, and someone sitting in the passenger side to grab the flowers and run up to the door to make deliveries.

I'm going to be driving all day Saturday, but we also need teams for Friday. Even if you can help out for only a few hours, please let us know. (I still need someone to be my "run to the door" person.) If you would like to volunteer, please call the person scheduling the teams. Kay Unruh can be reached at kunruh@mwenergy.com or by calling (785) 625-1474.

My mother loved flowers. She had a green thumb I have never possessed. For the last two years of her life, she lived in an assisted-living facility in Hays. She used to come over to my house and plant colorful flowers in my yard this time of year.

I like to think she would be pleased to know I will be spending the day brightening the lives of women who will be receiving flowers for Mother's Day and, at the same time, helping to raise funds to build a home for someone in need.

Another nonprofit organization in town is having a special event for ladies the day after Mother's Day.

The Hays After 5 Christian women's group will have its monthly dinner program from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at The Bakery Shop, 230 E. Eighth. Beth Hartshorn of Rocky Ford, Colo., will be speaking on the topic "Self Hate to Self Absorption to Self-Fulfillment."

Singers Hannah Bishop and Betsy Dreiling, students at Hays High School, will be providing the musical entertainment. Women are invited to bring their moms, daughters and special friends. Tickets are $11.75. Reservations are needed by Thursday by calling Lee at (785) 625-3770, or by e-mailing dkoster@eaglecom.net. Hays After 5 is affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries in Kansas City, Mo.

I know of another group who recently spent the day planting flowers in the yard of an elderly widow in Hays. Perhaps your church knows of shut-ins who would appreciate a visit this weekend -- and who perhaps have a list of small tasks they need done around their homes. (I'm only 4-foot-11, and I personally know how frustrating it is to try to change a light bulb or the smoke alarm batteries in my house.)

Mother's Day also can be a particularly lonely time for those in nursing homes who have no children nearby who will be visiting. Most nursing home administrators are happy to provide visitors with suggestions on which residents would appreciate seeing a friendly face and an outstretched hand on any day.

However, I encourage prospective visitors to check on residents' dietary restrictions before bringing in edible goodies. It has been my experience that most nursing home residents are far more interested in having a visitor to talk to than they are in receiving gifts anyway.

These are just a few of the things I have thought of that will allow me this Mother's Day -- and on future Mother's Days -- to honor my mother.

It won't make the sadness go away entirely. But it will force me to get up off my couch, focus on the blessings of today and celebrate the life of a truly special woman.

Linn Ann Huntington is a longtime journalism educator who lives and works in Hays.