Don’t know how we got so out-of-step that these anniversaries are overlapping–The Roanoke Tribune’s 77th–celebrated usually the final week of April, and Mother’s Day, that falls on the second Sunday of May.
Nevertheless, let’s begin by first expressing unparalleled gratitude to all who contributed in so many ways to our dual Diamond Anniversary celebrations that began with a fabulous Dinner Dance and historic Tribune documentary in April 2014 and ended with a dynomite Multi-Musical Showcase April 23, 2015, both held at the Salem Civic Center-–that went far beyond the call of duty to make it all happen!
The latter unparalleled lineup included the Kingdom Life International Chorus; William Fleming Principal Archie Freeman and Patrick Henry Combined Choirs (over 50 strong); Bernadette Jones & Ensemble; The Elmo Coles Combo w/internationally acclaimed Jane Powell; Denise Lewis & Co., and the William Penn Quartet. The love, talent and unity overflowed! We will be ever indebted to ALL!
This year’s anniversary, corresponding with Mother’s Day, will be quite different. As, although officially arriving each calendar year on March 21 at the vernal equinox, the time when day and night are of equal lengths, Mother Nature sometimes has different timings and different weather patterns for its actual appearance-–“Always after the 8th of May,” old folks would always say. That’s usually after the last frost, generally associated with planting flowers and gardens that would be exposed to frost if planted too soon.
How very appropriate that Mother’s Day (honoring all mothers), should fall at that precise time of year when Mother Earth is being refreshed and rejuvenated and all plant life is budding and astir with new birth.
Webster’s many definitions of the word mother include: “a female parent; a source of birth or origin (as mother church, mother land, etc.); a woman of authority or dignity; and one of humble station,” among others. So critical is the station of the female parent, especially in economically deprived nations villages, or households of several children or other circumstances under which education is not affordable or accessible to all of the children. It is then stressed in the Baha’i Holy Writings for this Day that females be given priority as they are to be the mothers and therefore the first teachers of children-–“the world’s most precious gems” in whose hands we too quickly fall.
“Among the greatest of all services that can possibly be rendered to Almighty God is the education and training of children…and God has ordained mothers to be the primary trainers of infants and children. This is of great importance and a high and exalted position…” the Scriptures emphasize.
The dire necessity of such maternal training in today’s free society is becoming more obvious with today’s continuous relaxation of morals and manners in what infants and youth are being constantly exposed to in today’s social-media and subsequent homes of younger, freer mothers.
With springtime also come thoughts and habits of spring cleaning. What an opportune time to reassess the accumulation of clutter that continues to alienate us from one another–within the family, the community, on the job or wherever we find ourselves (or seem to make others) most uncomfortable. We might begin by prioritizing people instead of things and by placing the welfare of others before our own. Let’s throw out the clutter of ego, resentment and envy that lead to apathy, the lowest emotional state that has no handles, and replace them with purpose, hope, involvement and service that collectively result in tolerance and humility.
As we reconsider the high station unique to mothers, may we all (and mothers in particular) “Be not careless of the virtues with which we have been endowed; neither be neglectful of our high destiny!” For we all derive from the same Mother Earth–to which we shall all return (in some form) and on which we all totally depend in between.
~ HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! ~
