For My Mother...

I had not yet picked out a card for my mother, and here it is Mother's Day.  One reason that I put this off, is because I have yet to find a card that would speak honestly about my mother.  Our life was pretty dysfunctional and filled with uncertainty.  My mother faced many hardships and struggles as we were growing up.  There were many times when she had very little to put on the dinner table.  She constantly put her needs and wants aside to ensure that we could go to school without holes in our socks and she gave to us the things that truly matter.

Early this morning, while pondering my mother's love, I wrote this poem (which I will give to her today inside a handmade card):

Matching Ribbons for My Hair

Matching ribbons for my hair;

And perfect dresses for me to wear—

Could never match the way you cared,

Or measure up to the love you shared.

Our life was tough for many years

But, your love shined through your many tears.

Not many know the love I’ve known

And in my heart the loved you’ve sown.

You gave me more than most mothers do.

A love so deep, so strong, so true.

For things that matter and things that last.

You taught me well, as each day passed.

As I reflect back over the years.

My eyes can also fill with tears.

As I recall all you have done—

I realize that I’m the lucky one.

We know that “luck” does not exist.

It was God, who through you, I was kissed.

Another mother just would not do.

I thank Him daily that He made you, you!

No, I didn’t have what the world holds dear;

But,what I had, was your heart so near.

Through all the struggles that you faced—

Your faithful love couldn’t be replaced.

By matching ribbons for my hair;

Or perfect dresses for me to wear.

__________________________________

Happy Mother’s Day

Thanking My Lord for you,

Dianna

Mother's Day

A message to husbands on Mother's day from the pen of a man who lived 165 years ago (way before the "feminist movement")  explaining to men, why their wife's may be unhappy in their role as wife's and mothers and it has nothing to do with their "glamorous dreams of personal glory."  The author explains that your wife's true unhappiness in her role as wife and mother is due to your inability to make her feel loved and appreciated.  Before you dismiss your wife's unhappiness to her rebellious heart and personal dreams of glory, examine yourself to see if you are taking her for granted and creating her misery.

A woman's hardest lot!(Timothy Shay Arthur, "Lovers and Husbands. A Story of Married Life" 1847)

No man is able fully to meet and reciprocate a true woman's love. The best of men, with all their willingness, with all their efforts, fail. There are deep places of her heart unreached--aching voids unfilled. And yet it is astonishing how small a return will seem to satisfy a woman, and make her heart glow with sunlight. A pleasant word, a tender look, a kiss of love--ah! these seem but small returns for the deep tenderness that ever burns in her bosom! And yet, alas! too often even these are withheld--and the selfish, reserved, cold, and at times morose "lord of creation," comes in and goes out daily--never dreaming that by this very coldness, reserve, and moroseness--he is breaking the heart of her who loves him better than her own life!

But it is ever so. Hundreds, thousands, yes, tens of thousands of wives, are performing their round of duties hourly and daily--unblessed by smiles that warm the bosom, or words that make the heart tremble with inner joy; while, all unconscious of their cruel indifference--those who provide fine houses, fine furniture, and fine garments for their victims, proudly imagine that they are the best of husbands!

Maiden--innocent, loving maiden!--do not turn away from this picture now, or else the time may come when you will seek to turn from it, and shall not be able. When one comes asking your love--know well if he is worthy of such love as you can give. Do not look alone at his attractive exterior; seek to know what ends actuate him. It is the loveliness of pure, high principles that remains verdant the longest--yes, forever verdant. These, and these alone, can make you permanently happy. Without them, an angel's grace, an angel's form would lose its attractions; with them, the plainest exterior soon grows beautiful to the eye of a loving wife. Lay this up in your heart; think of it in the morning, and when your head presses your pillow at night. It may save you from a woman's hardest lot--that of being bound for life to a man who does not even try to make her happy!

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You may want to read the whole of this 100 page insightful and practical story by Timothy Shay Arthur, "Lovers and Husbands. A Story of Married Life".