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05/02/08 |
           
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From Rev. Sumner Dear Friends: This month I want to share a message with husbands, encouraging you to tell the mother(s) of your children what you have appreciated about their guidance with your/her children. Even if your relationship is strained, is there something that you especially appreciate that you could tell her? Certainly any of you reading this is invited to tell his or her mother appreciative things too, to recall your mother’s actions if she has passed away, or even to forgive something that once hurt you. But children are notorious for not noticing or appreciating all that their mothers have done. Now could be your time Thirty years ago next month Mary Ann and I were married. We dated for three and a half years leading up to marriage. I noticed her sparkling eyes, her sincerity, and beautiful hair. As we dated, one of the things I asked myself was, “would she be a good mother?” What I saw and still see is a girl who loves tiny things that she used to call “cute and littles.” She always tried to help those who were small or hurt; she was trained in elementary education; she could not and cannot stand lies, and always stands for justice at work and in the home. She was certainly a product of her upbringing which brought along its own baggage, but then again, we all carry baggage. She knew how to sew and made many of her own clothes including her wedding dress. She could work with children equally well on baking cookies, playing in a sandbox, or helping them learn ABCs or state capitals. So this was the person I chose to marry, partly because I thought she would be a good mother. And that she is. As we had three children in succession, deliberately keeping them close in age, we worked as a team to be parents. But Mary Ann guided their development, held her ground as they whined, and fashioned our boys and girl into children of faith, hope, and love. Together we saw to it that they were in church each week and opting out was not on the table. If they distracted us in church for an hour with their constant interruptions or rudeness, we together would sit quietly at our home for an hour, giving the time back to God without TV, games, or friends. We saw to it that they were in sports, music, and Scouting at different times in their lives. We were officers in PTA and in Band. We met diligently with their teachers to work as a team in their education. And Mary Ann stayed connected with other mothers to see that a circle of good friends surrounded them. She guided their choices of friends with approval or disapproval, knowing how much peers influence actions. Now they are all college graduates, stepping in to the next phase of their lives. But they still call their Mom, usually daily, to tell news, ask for help, or to plan for the next time they will be home. I am grateful to Mary Ann for being such a good mother. (As I shared my Scouting Awards, music certificates, and stories growing up with Marshall Argenbright for a “God and Me” award last month, I also remembered all my mother did for me growing up. Not said often enough, but “Thank you, Mom, for all you did to make me who I am today.”) Gentlemen, go and do likewise. Fraternally, Jeff Sumner
This site was last updated 05/02/08 |