The most common and inclusive of all holidays must surely be Mother’s Day, transcending all others as, according to Webster, the word mother has many additional references other than “a female parent.” It also refers to a woman in authority; the first or beginning-of a movement or establishment or, “to protect and/or care for as a mother.
Whatever its definition, this past Sunday aced all of my previous ones as it was inclusive of three immediate family mothers–including all the children of at least one.
The gathering began with breakfast at a favorite local eatery then moved to my home for the reading of cards and opening of gifts before scattering to other uncommon settings.
I am constantly reminded of Jesse Jackson’s classic statement about parenting: “It’s not just becoming a parent that makes you a mother or father. It’s the care and concern you give that child for the rest of its life!”–wheather personally or through appropriate professional agencies if and whenever necessary.
“Mother’s love” may not always come from the one who gave birth but does require “one with maternal tenderness or affection” for the child’s best physical, mental and spiritual development–the triune process that produces best results.
Oddly enough, my first-born came the day after Mothers’ Day in Los Angeles (CA) General Hospital-–although predicted to arrive in APRIL! Although we returned (3 weeks later) to Roanoke where he grew up and attended public schools, he returned to LA as a young man and remains there to date–calling on Mothers’ Day!
How very different are the trends and values of motherhood today from those of yester-year. Today’s mothers are much younger in years and, too often with far less spiritual family root, placing more importance on having than on being. The morals of today are likewise far more relaxed with excessive amounts of time and money spent on what’s ON rather than what’s IN their heads.
In our post Mother’s Day reflections, however, let us give homage to the many civic, social, religious and fraternal organizations within this beautiful Roanoke Valley–and especially to the local NAACP that promotes year-round healthy programs and inter-action through local, state and national youth challenges.
In saluting the incomparable contributions of mothers each year, however, we must bow in humility to the most sublime-–Mother Nature, whose equilibrium we continue to challenge and upset with our incessant quest for knowledge (as pertains to war) and Mother Earth–from which all things come, on which all things depend and to which all things shall return-–in some form.
