An Ode to Mothers
As Mother’s Day approaches I am wrought with underlying tension. It’s a tension that anticipates the celebration of Melody and the amazing mother that she has become, but also the confrontation of the reality that I no longer have a mother to call or to whom I can send flowers. This makes Mother’s Day an emotional but also an important day for me. I have increasingly heard Mother’s Day dismissed as a “commercialized” cultural holiday, but it takes on new meaning when one’s mother has passed away. It becomes a day of remembrance. A memorial day that is paradoxically a day of celebration and honor for your wife and for the love and care your mother had for you. Mother’s Day is a day of honor. As Paul writes in Ephesians 6:1-3: “1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Mother’s Day is just one day, but it’s a day used to remind us in the midst of the busyness and anxiousness of our everyday lives not to forget about she who birthed us into existence.
Over the years, I gave my mom various types of gifts. The ones she loved the best tended to be my own creations. In the spirit of honoring and reminiscing about our mothers, I have compiled a list of the top 5 gifts that I gave my mother for Mother’s Day.
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Pastor Dan’s Top 5: Mother’s Day Gifts
5. The classic acrostic poem. I crafted a few of these over the years in my mother’s honor. Acrostic is the method of writing where the first letter of each sentence combines to spell a word. Of course, it would always be “MOTHER” with various adjectives and superlatives to form the amateurish poetic structure.
4. Mother’s Day card with heartfelt poem inside. My mom absolutely loved receiving these when I was a kid. Obviously, my father would purchase the card and I would write about how much I loved my mom on the inside and sign my name. After my mom passed away, I discovered that she kept most of these. How beautiful and precious is that?
3. Necklace. I remember splurging for necklace one year. I was so proud of myself. Unfortunately, the piece of “jewelry" left a green mark on my mother’s skin. Hey, it’s the thought that counts!
2. Teapot. My mom went through a phase of collecting teapots, which was ironic, because I rarely saw her brew hot tea. She always preferred her tea iced. Nonetheless, the collection began, and I decided one year to contribute to her collection. She seemed to appreciate the fact that I had noticed her little hobby.
1. Flowers. For my mom, flowers were hard to beat. I still remember the way she would smile and how her nose would wrinkle as she attempted to breathe in the aroma. She would sink her whole face into the bouquet and immediately prepare a vase in which to display her fabulous flora. Of course a card with some gushy phrasing accompanied the flowers. In all of it, I would give anything to be able to present her with flowers again.
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Do not forget to honor the mothers of your life this month. Spoil them. Bring them the joy of being remembered.
I’d like to hear about your top 5! Send me your top 5 Mother’s Day gifts, whether you’re the giver or receiver, I’d like to hear from you! Email your Top 5 to Pastor Dan at pastordnhues@emmanuelclovis.org
Remember in Your Prayers
Special Prayers: Peder & Abby. Tiffany (Friend of the Van Dykes) at the loss of her daughter.
Hans’ Memorial service will take place on Friday, May 15th at 10am at Emmanuel.
Misc. illness/Recovery: Vince Salazar, Gee Vue, Gene Garcia, Mike Kipp, Anna Hunter, Carmen Chow, Diane Governor, Bernadette Lee, Finn Hardwick, Deacon John Mertes, Melanie Lawrence, Marilyn Bowery, Jennifer Dervin, Gloria & Paul Watts, Nancy McGehee.
Homebound: Liz Johnston, Dale Gillespie
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Pray Luke 10:2 at 10:02 daily
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