MOTHERS' DAY, 2013

   Mothers' Day--the day to pour out your love and appreciation to your mother and grandmothers. It was a beautiful day here in South Dakota, as if the weather were in cahoots with the calendar. (Finally!). I have read nice and loving tributes to moms and grandmothers, and they are so deserving of praise. I am remembering many happy times with my mother that I now cherish as memories. I remember her gentle voice and her gentle ways, and I thought today of how she would sometimes laugh until the tears would stream down her cheeks. She was loving and kind.

   We had a nice Sunday morning service, and Sunday School was fun this afternoon. One of the little girls came running in the church with a little bouquet for me. :) :)

   Mothers' Day, however, has other facets to it. Sorrow, pain, discouragement, and emptiness can be felt by some women who have lost children to death or other means, some who have had children forced from their lives,and victims of broken homes. I have heard and read the virtues of mothers on Mother's Day when I had several small children, and I thought how far I fell short of the expectations of motherhood (it wasn't until years later that I realized how idealistic our memories can be when we are years removed from childhood). No, moms are not always patient; no, the work is not always done; no, moms do not always have a chance to sit down and spend time with each child every day; no, moms do not always keep babies and children clean. Mothers Are Not Perfect. I heard heartcries today from womanhood who would like to be mothers, but never had the opportunity; I heard a heartcry from one who lost a child to death in an auto accident, and others who lost babies to death; I heard pain from children who miss their mothers who are now in heaven. I suppose the most painful thing I heard today was a little girl whose mother left her and her siblings say, "My mother doesn't love me."   On the brighter side of the issue, I have seen mother love in a special and caring way today, also.

   It was special that all four of my children called to talk with me today, and it was a nice surprise that some of my 'adopted' children also contacted me. How special that makes me feel!! It was also nice that Ray gave me some beautiful roses. I loved talking to my sisters and seeing pictures of some of their children and grandchildren. What a NICE day!!

   I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. I am planning a change with the blog, and I hope to inform you of that change next time. Until then, God Bless You and Yours!!