Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day becomes more important to me as the years pass. Thanksgiving and Mother’s Day are my top contenders for excellent holidays. Those are solitary days dedicated to showing gratitude. Both holidays stand as reminders of how much of my life depends upon the good graces of others, acts of kindness, of solicitude that I cannot contrive through planning or purchase.
Why do we have children, undertake the years of work, risk, and heartache, the burdens of love? If we marry young, out of passion and received tradition, perhaps having a family is a part of a reflex. What else would one do? Yet, after a few years pass, we can no longer plead ignorance,–we know what we are getting into. We still go ahead. Is the risk worth the reward? Sometimes it is, but it is a long term investment. There are no guarantees.
As a child I had the good fortune to have a mother who knew how to care for others. She knew because she learned those lessons from her mother. She understood that life is hard, and that hardships are met by doing what you can for your family. One does not think about it, making a calculation of gain and loss. One just does the right thing.
I hold my mothers memory in high esteem. I also regard my wife with much gratitude. Her work and love for our three children, and now the grandchildren has been constant. I know that I have have no clue about what it is like to bear a child. Then to supervise its development over the years through formal education and the informal lessons of life, failure and success. The responsibilities and risks of adulthood come and the terrifying adventure of finding/choosing a mate.
A mother watches with a prayer in her heart.
