Mothers' Day: A day to honor mothers everywhere

Mixed with all the political turmoil; mixed with all the terrorism; mixed with all the factions at war; mixed with those of us that live in relative peace; mothers are still giving birth to children.  In my mind there is no greater calling than that of Mother. 

Years ago, when families were strong basic units, mothers were the strength of the home.  They taught the children respect, duty, honor, and honesty along with cleanliness, responsibility and worship.  Mothers taught children to read.  They prepared the children to enter school. They were the primary teachers for their children.  Mothers and Fathers took their children to church to learn of God.  I long for a return of those days.

Today's mothers have a much harder life.  Many women must work outside the home and take care of their children at the same time.  I long for a return to the days of the past when families were able to send Father out to work to sustain the family, and Mother could stay home and nurture the children.  Families would be stronger, communities would be stronger, crime would likely be decreased.  Television's influence on the children could be diminished. 

Hollywood's characterization of the family has caused the current generation to view the family with a false paradigm.  Governments seem to view parents as "optional", even promoting the idea of single parenting.  Governments seem to foster the idea of killing unborn children as a way to keep illegitimate children from being born instead of fostering the idea that children are precious and when a child is born he/she has the right to a two parent family.  Children thrive better when there are two parents involved in a family.   Additionally, studies have found that families with more than one child thrive even more.  The idea that small families are better cared for is a myth.  Large families instill a responsibility in children that they will take with them into their adult lives.

I was privileged to enjoy a family where our father taught us how to work and how to use tools.  He was an educated man, but he didn't stop with what learning he received in the University.  He was self taught in many areas and taught his children to do the same.  Our mother was also self educated.  She was strong enough to keep her children in line.  I remember being irritated by her lengthy "preachings" when we did something wrong.  I was loath to do wrong because I knew there would be a "preaching" if  I was found out.  The preaching was sometimes more painful than the alternative whipping.  My mother worried about me even when I was an adult.  I imagine she still worries about me even though she passed away several years ago. 

This post is to honor mothers everywhere, but especially my mother and the mother of my children, my queen, my sweetheart, my lover, my wife.