Remembering Mother’s Day causes me to recall all the sweet childhood memories of a little girl dressed up in her best Sunday clothes, going out to the back yard and looking for a red rose to pin on my dress and Momma’s dress and a white one for Big Momma’s and going to church where the oldest and the youngest Mother was always honored.
At the time, the significance of the red and white roses didn’t mean much, except I knew that was the tradition for my family, and most all others in my generation. It’s a poignant moment in my childhood. Now, I'm reminded of the small sacrifices that go so unnoticed of , not only Mothers, but Fathers as well as they endeavor “to bring up a child in the way he should go.” If you were fortunate enough to have parents who subscribed to that teaching, you’ll know exactly where that phrase comes from. It’s just like “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” was part of the daily mantra. I remember the “golden rule” being printed on the 12” ruler that was given to each student in my school while growing up. It was a rule to teach children in that day. I look back and remember the standards set for children and young adults then, and wonder how it became, not only an “old fashioned” way to do things, and definitely, not cool conduct for today. Poor manners, foul language, and street talk have become perfectly acceptable to some adults, so why wouldn’t the children think it’s standard behavior?
I sure do miss seeing a young man rise from his seat when a woman enters the room. I miss him opening or holding the door open for a lady. How about males sitting in a restaurant wearing baseball hat? Or any other kind of hat for that matter. Trousers that drag the ground? (Say no to crack) And nothing meant more to a girl on a date than to have a gentleman open the car door for her. She’d sit until the cows came home waiting for him to get out and open it for her upon arriving at their destination. I won’t mention “yes, mam or no, man” as that seems to be a southern thing, but there are other polite ways of responding to your elders. The female population seems to have picked up on a whole new way of presenting themselves as well. Of course, the fashion industry doesn’t help the situation, but age-appropriate apparel is never out of order. Isn’t it true that those who demand respect are the ones who receive it? A female can be just as successful and treated equally as a male without demeaning herself to any level beneath her education and background?
There are some great kids growing up today. I know them. I see them everywhere. I appreciate that parents have taken the time to instill in them good manners. Most of the time, these kids are the successful ones in life. Not always, but most of the time. I see children from impoverished neighborhoods growing up with mentors and teachers who are teaching them what they can’t learn from home, through no fault of their own. Thank God for these people. Many times, these little children become targets for bullying by other students just for being polite and honest.
Parents have awesome responsibilities. On one hand, we’re told we must let them be themselves. Let them find themselves. You can't make them do that! They have rights! Well, I believe we have an obligation to our future generations to teach respect, honor, and dignity. It has no denomination. It costs nothing, and the return on our investment will be worth its weight in gold. Maybe someday, living Mothers may even be remembered with red roses in the lapel and white ones for those who have gone on to another place. Wouldn't that be grand?
