In Praise of Mother

Today, Mother's Day, seemed like a fine day to remember my own dear mother, Adeline, who left this world in 2002, and her many fine qualities.  The first thing this morning, I sat down and wrote out a list of 15 major qualities in her for which I am extremely grateful.  I'd be writing this for many hours if I described them all. Thus, I have chosen and will mention the one most important characteristic Mother inspired in me.

In the era before the 1960's, women's choices in life were extremely limited.  We all looked forward, happily, to marriage and children, the sooner, the better.  Our 'job' choices before marriage were generally limited to secretary, teacher, clerk, or nurse. Yet Mother let me know, unfailingly and unflinchingly, that I could accomplish anything I set out to do.  She never knew she had this influence on me.  Sure, I knew that any task worth attempting would entail a great deal of thought and hard work, but that was to be expected.  Also: no matter what the odds against me attaining what I thought important, I would never know if it could be done unless I tried it and gave it my best, my very best.

I should have told mother about this when, as a newlywed, I needed curtains for our apartment.  Although mother had given me a basic sewing machine for a wedding present, I didn't have a clue about where to start to sew curtains.  (I didn't like the cheap stuff in the stores.)  I remember thinking, "If mother can make curtains, I can make curtains!" Too bad we lived so far apart, she in Dayton, Ohio, and I in Hazard, Kentucky; I could have consulted her.

As it happened, I went to the library and borrowed a book on Sewing Window Coverings.  It was fairly technical but very well illustrated, and I slowly accomplished a reasonable set of curtains.  Wow, I was so proud of them!  I could do it!

Another challenge, one of an infinite number of challenges, actually, happened in the mid-1970's.  I was a member of the Right to Life group in Danville, Kentucky.  We were brainstorming ideas of how to publicize our chapter's goals: legal 'personhood' for one and all.  I saw where other chapters had the mayor of their cities declare January 23 as "Right to Life Day."  All my colleagues agreed, our mayor would never do this.  I accepted this but then the idea started gnawing on me.  I hadn't tried it; how would I know what would happen?

I made an appointment to see our mayor and presented my idea.  Much to my surprise, he thought it was a fine idea and approved it!  Another 'Wow' feeling!

Oh, Mother, I still miss you!  I suggest to my readers to make a list of all the qualities your mother has or had that has inspired you.  And if she is still alive: thank her, sincerely.  I promise she'll never forget and treasure this in her heart!

Lord, thank you for the best mother a person could ever have!  Keep her close to you forever!