10 Responses to “Happy Mother’s Day”

1. Yahweh says:

   May 10, 2009 at 8:45 am

   I called her,but,,,

   “Because (she) could not stop for Death,
   He kindly stopped for (thee);
   The carriage held but just (them)selves
   And Immortality.
   (They) slowly drove, he knew no haste,
   And (she) had put away
   (Her) labor, and (her) leisure too,
   For his civility.

   (They) passed the school, where children strove
   At recess, in the ring;
   (They) passed the fields of gazing grain,
   (They) passed the setting sun.

   Or rather, he passed (them);
   The dews grew quivering and chill,
   For only gossamer (her) gown,
   (Her) tippet only tulle.

   (They) paused before a house that seemed
   A swelling of the ground;
   The roof was scarcely visible,
   The cornice but a mound.

   Since then ’tis centuries, and yet each
   Feels shorter than the day
   (she) first surmised the horses’ heads
   Were toward eternity.”
   • Krystalline Apostate says:

     May 10, 2009 at 10:31 am

     Pretty. Dickinson? (I googled it)
2. Tarma says:

   May 10, 2009 at 9:10 am

   My mother died several years ago – sadly, we had been estranged for decades, basically over my decision to marry in 1971. She never got to know her grandchildren, sadder yet. Her loss and theirs.

   On a much, much happier note, my daughter and talented musician son-in-law surprised me by taking one of my poems, setting it to music with her singing the vocals, and sending me a CD. Made me cry. Best Mother’s Day gift ever.
3. Steve Rider says:

   May 10, 2009 at 12:12 pm

   My mom also has passed away, but all 4 of her kids were standing by her bedside as she continued struggling to breathe in her last minutes.

   Several of us had traveled across the country to return to Pennsylvania for her passing. I leaned over to her, and whispered quietly “We are all here Mom, and you did a great job of raising us, it’s OK to rest now.” A few minutes later she was gone. I suppose it was as peaceful and dignified as death can be.

   Despite the fact that we are 2 atheists, 1 devout Catholic and 1 Evangelical Christian our mother taught us to love each other unconditionally, and so we still do.

   I can not imagine how any mother could be better than she was.
   • ashtoreth says:

     May 10, 2009 at 2:57 pm

     Steve Rider,
     Thank you for sharing your experiences. It is nice to know that you do have a very loving family.
4. neowolfe says:

   May 10, 2009 at 7:43 pm

   Dave said:

   “Call your Mother.” Agreed, I just have’nt found the perfect derisive term that will inflict the appropriate amount of pain. Still searching.

   NeoWolfe
   • NotSoFast says:

     May 11, 2009 at 11:48 am

     So you had that kind of mother too?

     Mine did her damnedest to keep me from growing up, but somehow I managed. Maybe it’s not too late for you, either.
5. phreedm says:

   May 10, 2009 at 10:46 pm

   In the category of “no good thing can come from religion”. I’m glad you honor Mother’s Day, Dave. Apparently you’re not aware of it’s origination…

   Mothers’ Day was held in Boston in 1872 at the suggestion of Julia
   Ward Howe, writer of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

   But it was Anna Jarvis, daughter of a Methodist minister in Grafton,
   West Virginia, who made it a national event.

   During the Civil War, Anna Jarvis’ mother organized Mothers’ Day Work
   Clubs to care for wounded soldiers, both Union and Confederate.

   She raised money for medicine, inspected bottled milk, improved
   sanitation and hired women to care for families where mothers
   suffered from tuberculosis.

   In her mother’s honor, Anna Jarvis persuaded her church to set aside
   the 2nd Sunday in May, the anniversary of her mother’s death, as a
   day to appreciate all mothers.

   Encouraged by the reception, Anna Jarvis organized it in
   Philadelphia, then began a letter-writing campaign to ministers,
   businessmen and politicians to establish a national Mothers’ Day.

   In response, on MAY 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the
   first National Mothers’ Day as a “public expression of…love and
   reverence for the mothers of our country.”

   I guess there IS a sliver of truth to the “America’s Spiritual Heritage” resolution…
6. what says:

   May 12, 2009 at 12:09 am

   Steve

   Thanks for sharing the story of your mother’s last moments with us. I wish people talked more openly about death. You set a good example.
7. OrdinaryAtheist says:

   May 13, 2009 at 3:41 pm

   I couldn’t call my mom, she died a year ago. I do think of her. That’s one of those strange surrealistic situations that you never think you’ll find yourself in till it’s too late. Pay attention to those close to you. I hope those who can did connect with their mothers.