Always a Struggle
To what extent should we take the public observance of Mother's Day?
To some, this Hallmark holiday borders on the sacred. After all, the women who have nurtured us deserve thanks; it's probably good for us to think in those terms, as well.
But, those of us who are privy to the personal thoughts of many people realize that there's more pain out there than most of us realize. People abused by their moms. Folks who are grieving the loss of mothers or children. People in broken relationships. The list goes on. For many of them, Mother's Day is a painful reminder of an ideal they will never have. I've known couples who cannot conceive, and who stay away from church on Mother's Day because it's not a place of refuge that Sunday.
I celebrate the holiday. I still have a wife and a mother-in-law. But, perhaps the holiday should remain more private.
Or, we could return to its original meaning. The Mother's Day Proclamation urged women all over the world to stand up against the actions of their governments as they sent sons off to war . . .
Always a Struggle
To what extent should we take the public observance of Mother's Day?
To some, this Hallmark holiday borders on the sacred. After all, the women who have nurtured us deserve thanks; it's probably good for us to think in those terms, as well.
But, those of us who are privy to the personal thoughts of many people realize that there's more pain out there than most of us realize. People abused by their moms. Folks who are grieving the loss of mothers or children. People in broken relationships. The list goes on. For many of them, Mother's Day is a painful reminder of an ideal they will never have. I've known couples who cannot conceive, and who stay away from church on Mother's Day because it's not a place of refuge that Sunday.
I celebrate the holiday. I still have a wife and a mother-in-law. But, perhaps the holiday should remain more private.
Or, we could return to its original meaning. The Mother's Day Proclamation urged women all over the world to stand up against the actions of their governments as they sent sons off to war . . .