Last Tuesday, October 5th, my MOTHER would have celebrated her 97th birthday. Unfortunately, she passed away a little more than 23 years ago at the age of 73 – a month before her 74th birthday. In my opinion, MOM was too young to die. But, she suffered from geriatric MS and she eventually succumbed to the disease.
You may have noticed that I have used all “caps” when referring to MOM. That’s because, first of all, I was raised to believe that you only get one MOTHER to a lifetime and it is important that we take care of them. Furthermore, we just got the headstone for my brother Ken’s grave and in the process of ordering his marker, the cemetery thought that they should replace MOM’s as well. It was never really made up to standard and the new one is perfect – after more than 20 years of complaining. The deadline for all this work was last Tuesday and I am pleased to report that it’s all good – the new markers look great – and there is something cathartic about knowing that MOM and Ken had their markers made from the same block of granite.
The other reason that I have used all caps when referring to MOM is that I am incensed about a news item that came out on MOM’s birthday saying that Harvard and the federal government are advocating the use of the term “birthing person” in place of references to MOM or MOTHER. Apparently, this terminology is actually in the new federal budget and I can’t believe it.
Most MOTHERS are outraged, as they take their role seriously. But, apparently, there are surrogates out there who carry fetuses for others and they don’t want to have the label “MOTHER” applied to them. I guess that is their right but they are in the minority. More of this ridiculous liberal, overly politically correct rhetoric. There has even been discussion about the elimination of the term FATHER in favor of something like “sperm donor.” How does that sit with you DADS out there?
Personally, I have never thought of MOM and DAD as anything other than my MOTHER and FATHER. I was privileged to have them as parents, even though I realize that they weren’t perfect. And I hope that our children feel the same way about Janet and me. We have done the best job that we know how to do as MOTHER and FATHER. We are blessed to have the three children that we have and we hope that are also blessed that God has seen fit to make us a nuclear family.
Our verse for tonight recognizes the importance of MOTHERS, as recorded in the book of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah tells us, in Isaiah 49:15, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?” My encouragement this evening is that God planned our lives in advance and most of us have been fortunate enough to have been given wonderful MOMS. My prayer is that there is or will be someone in your life, whether a natural MOTHER or an adoptive MOTHER, or even a person who you have considered a MOTHERLY mentor who will help make your life more meaningful and God centered. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace… and Happy Heavenly Birthday, MOM! I love you!