A Most Wonderful Mother's Day!

This year, 2008, we celebrate the fifty-second Mother’s Day at Calvary Apostolic Church. They have been special days filled with tributes, memories, and a few tears along the way. Traditionally, wearing a white rose on the lapel or shoulder indicated that the wearer’s mother is no longer alive; a red rose says she is still alive. Though we’ve paid little to no particular attention to it, I think it’s a fine tradition.

With a smile I remember Elder R.C. Cavaness telling that he once visited a service on Mother’s Day service and found himself growing sentimental upon hearing the sad stories of mothers who had already passed on. The touching song, “If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again,” brought him to tears. Blubbering into his handkerchief, he suddenly realized a shocking fact. “Why are you crying?” he said to himself, “Dummy, your mother is still alive!”

That indicates how normal people respond to the very thought and idea of motherhood. It’s natural that we feel that certain fuzzy warmth and affection.

Seldom does a day pass without my thoughts drifting toward deep appreciation for my sainted mother. Widowed at age 45, she was plenty young enough to find a new, loving relationship. She had one problem: she had a brood of eight children at home, the youngest only three-years old! When someone suggested that she should be on the lookout for a new mate, she quickly responded, “Any man that would have me with all these children wouldn’t be worth having!” Her remaining 38 years were spent in devotion to her children and grandchildren.

It’s to be expected that some amusing events occurred over the many years we’ve observed Mother’s Day. One of my favorite memories was the Mother’s Day we awarded the mother with the most children a nice plaque. That mother happened to be Mrs. Mullins, the mother of Sister Arbuckle. I don’t remember the total, but she had mothered an abundance of offspring. As pastor, I was handed the plaque and asked to read it to the congregation. Amazingly and amusingly, the title of the poem was about as far as I read before the service broke out into roaring laughter. The title was, “Don’t Stop Now!”

This Mother’s Day we miss Bro. Cal Hardy. For many years his traditional Mother’ Day song, “This is Just What Mother Means to Me” has warmed our hearts. He is visiting with relatives in New Mexico. Too, we sorely miss his precious wife, Virginia, who went to heaven since last Mother’s Day. Our condolences to him and their daughter Dorise.

It gives us great pleasure to welcome, and offer our blessings upon all the mothers in this Mother’s Day service. May this be the beginning of one of the best and most productive years of your long and healthful life!