More Than A Mother
“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.” – Agatha Christie
I read that Mother’s Day may save the wilting flower industry. It was hit hard by the pandemic and ongoing demographic shifts. So what happens when demand is weak, production strong, and long-term storage not possible?
The flowers are tossed. Their beauty forever lost.
My mother loved flowers. She tended her garden giving each plant the water, nourishment, and attention necessary for beautiful flowers. If a flower exceeded her expectations, she would take a picture then gather it with several other beauties and create her own bouquet. For her, placing the bouquet at the center of the table was an act of love. It brought life and beauty to her home and joy to her being which she shared with every visitor.
In another part of the house was a wall, a large wall, full of family pictures. She’d proudly show off her shrine to even the disinterested. She too saw her family as flowers- to be watered, nourished, and attention paid as necessary. We were the bouquet that occupied her very center.
There were six of us. If we were a burden, she never let it show. I once apologized to her for an indiscretion that no doubt embarrassed her. She looked up at me and with watery eyes, accepted my apology, and gave me a big hug. All was forgiven. It always was.
I wish the young today could talk to my mother. Better yet- watch her. Especially those who appear confused about what one should and shouldn’t do with their bodies or their souls. Perhaps she’d find a metaphor for the potential of a bouquet of flowers to the potential of an unborn child. That both, if allowed expression, can bring joy and color and unique gifts to our world. When tossed, the beauty and potential are lost- forever.
She’d offer her opinion that whatever the circumstance, new life is a gift to be held in gratitude. Not a burden but a source of great joy.
She might encourage them to tend to their soul. That bodies are temporal and will decay and wilt. That the soul, if nourished, will mature and blossom to sustain you if life were to become difficult.
With her easy respectful style, maybe they’d listen to her explain that joyful living is not a self-serving exercise in accumulating ‘likes’ or friends or possessions- but what one can give. Things and self. That sacrifice and duty and responsibility are not burdens, but purpose.
Happy Mother’s Day!
If today finds you in a charitable mood, consider a donation in your mothers’ name to New Way Ministries. New Way Ministries provides housing and nourishment for both soul and body to young mothers and their children who have been in abusive relationships. It’s a wonderful organization. My mother was its co-founder.
This is a link to their website where you’ll find a ‘donate’ button. https://www.newway-ministries.org/
More Than A Mother
by Kari Keshmiry
When God set the world in place,
when He hung the stars up in space,
when He made the land and the sea,
then He made you and me.
He sat back and saw all that was good,
He saw things to be as they should.
Just one more blessing He had in store;
He created a mother, but whatever for?
He knew a mother would have a special place
to shine His reflection on her child's face.
A mother will walk the extra mile
just to see her children smile.
She'll work her fingers to the bone
to make a house into a home.
A mother is there to teach and guide,
a mother will stay right by your side.
She'll be there through your pain and strife,
she'll stay constant in your life.
A mother will lend a helping hand
until you have the strength to stand.
She'll pick you up when you are down,
when you need a friend she'll stick around.
A mother is one who listens well,
will keep her word; will never tell.
A mother never pokes or pries
but stands quietly by your side,
giving you the strength you need,
encouraging you to succeed.
A mother is one who can be strong
when you need someone to lean on.
You're more than a mother to me;
a reflection of Him in your face I see,
a love that knows no boundaries.
I'm glad that you chose to be
all this and more to me.
You share a love that knows no end,
you're more than my mother,
you are my friend.
Alone on a Lake With My Mother
Mother’s Day is about celebrating mothers. For many of us, our mother is no longer with us... or is she? I wrote this several years ago. Alone on a Lake With My Mother.
For Minds still Curious-
from others found on the digital printing press
So how did human empathy evolve? Interesting research suggests that there is an evolutionary benefit to being a victim. One finding, for example, found that if you want to raise money on the GoFundMe platform, best to include your difficult upbringing to unleash donations, even if untrue. Link to article.
The Biblical account of Joseph being sold into slavery certainly suggests ‘slavery’ was a part of human history long before 1619AD. Try roughly 1700BC. Unfortunately, revisionist historians with an agenda are corrupting our schools. Bryan Preston offers us this essay.
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