Ode to Mothers (and parents)

From the editor: I received this via email from a reader in Washington state and thought I'd pass its encouraging words on now.


Ode to Mothers (and parents)

Mothers' Day is the day when we celebrate Moms and the job they do. On this topic, I wish to share an anecdotal story from my life: I was in the store yesterday, with my children, and as I was checking out I noticed that the cashier was smiling at my toddler, telling her how cute she was and ignoring my 7-year-old son. That is fine, not all people are interested in facts about frogs or retellings of the latest book he has read. As I was pushing my cart out the door, the cashier asked me if I heard what my son said. Her expression had changed from that of a bored woman ready for her lunch break, to one of awe and alertness. I said, "No. What did he say?" She told me he said, "I have to show respect to the ladies." He lifted his hat and said, "Goodbye," to her. She was so pleased.
On our drive home, I thought to myself what a simple thing it is to be kind to others and show proper respect. I too am pleased when young people address me as Mrs. McMeekin (not Tisha). It is another way to show respect for elders. When a bagger at the grocery store calls me Ma'am, I feel pleased about the world I live in. I know that other Mom's are doing their job.
Our children are a direct reflection on us: be it good or bad. I know that children are self-determined beings with their own will, but anyone can see that their greatest training in life, comes from their parents. So whether our job gets much validation in today's world or not, it is still a vital one. I am not an advocate of the babble that spouts: "Children will find their own way, children should not be punished for wrong doing, the boy who murdered his classmates because he ate too much sugar is the one who deserves sympathy, and so on..."
I am conveying this to all of you because I feel that we are on the front lines, protecting and defending what can be a great generation of citizens. Our children are close to us and we have chosen to walk with them through this journey of education and living.
With my deepest sincerity, I want to convey my pleasure and gratitude to the parents who have chosen to homeschool their children. I am growing as a person from my experience with it and I hope you are too.
Tisha McMeekin, WA