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A Tribute To My Mother...and Yours!

By Michael P. Neufeld
Friday, May 9, 2008

The fact that I'm grown up and moved away from my hometown means nothing to My Mom. I'm still her brown-eyed boy; her child and I will always be a child in her eyes.

On Mother's Day 2008, I want to pay tribute to my Mom (Elizabeth Neufeld) and Mothers everywhere because I realize that as a child gets bigger, taller and older nothing changes because in a Mom's heart it doesn't mean a thing.

I appreciate the fact My Mom always nurtured, challenged, inspired and instilled strong values in me and that she continues today to encourage me in my endeavors. She has played so many roles in my life helping me find solutions to problems, offering care and guidance along the way, and sharing the wisdom that only mother's can have.

Today, as I think of My Mom and extend Happy Mother's Day greetings, I'm reminded of what President John Quincy Adams once wrote about his mother (Abigail Adams): "All that I am my mother made me."

I honestly believe that on Mother's Day 2008, we all need to reflect on all we have become as a result of the remarkable care, gracious guidance, lifetime of continuous influence and unsurpassed sacrifice of our mothers.

There are lots of ways to openly express our love and deepest gratitude on Mother's Day. If Mom is across the miles, like My Mother, a card, phone call, flowers or other token of our appreciation will have to suffice. But for those of you fortunate enough to be able to gather together for Mother's Day be sure to give Mom a hug, a kiss and tell her thank you!

In May 1914, President Woodrow Wilson, at the urging of Philadelphian Anna Jarvis, declared "Mother's Day" to be an American holiday. Prior to that proclamation, Jarvis held public ceremonies honoring her mother and featuring the carnation, her mother's favorite flower.

As a young man growing up, I remember going to church on Mother's Day and receiving either a red carnation or a white carnation when I entered the sanctuary. At the appropriate time, every person in church would walk to the altar and place the red or white carnation in tribute to their mother. Red carnations symbolized mother's still living and white those who had passed away. It was very moving.

After church, I would always retrieve a red carnation and give it to My Mom who was the organist at the First Congregational Church in Porterville for over 50 years. She still has a collection of dried carnations she saved from years ago.

So on Mother's Day 2008, since I can't be there to present her a red carnation in person, I urge her to close her eyes and visualize her brown-eyed boy approaching with a big smile, a red carnation and voicing the loving words—HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

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