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MOM'S DAY BRUNCH OR WORLD PEACE
Published On 05-10-2009 , 8:56 AM
This piece isn't going to be anywhere near what's generally written about Mother's Day celebrations. While mom often expects to receive presents and special treatment, this year, with an economy producing new horror stories by the day, a slightly different approach for us all just might be in order.
Will moms appreciate what I have to say? Will those who feel compelled to shower us with gifts take me to task? I suspect the answer to both questions to be a resounding yes.
But I also expect that after a few days, this predicted reaction from readers would give way to some additional thought about the matter.
There's a lot of folk who plain don't have the money they used to have and while they may still have an active credit card or two, good sense is screaming out in a loud reminder that's saying, "Don't do it - not this year."
What about those who will claim they can't let go, even though they can't afford the traditional gathering at mom's favorite restaurant to gobble up the good stuff?
Maybe folks ought to try asking mom what her advice is when the going gets tough. Depending on her age, I suspect she's got some sage advice. Better yet, try asking Granma what she's got to say about credit card spending and going out to dinner when the next paycheck isn't guaranteed.
I suspect the gray-haired lady has plenty of chatter on this matter.
"Credit cards?" she's apt to screech and then launch into a story about revolving credit at the department store where you had to pay the entire balance when the statement came due and how not even Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles had such a thing as a credit card, even though it had a program to feed the poor.
Granny also knew a whole lot about living within one's means. But then who wants to listen to old folks when they talk that old-time stuff?
And old-time stuff can take us way back to 1870 with the country's first Mother's Day celebration, which was initiated by Julia Ward Howe. While it was about celebrating motherhood, it also focused on world peace.
A lot has changed since the 19th century. While we've all helped tomorrow's holiday become a $14 billion industry, our current economic realities just might lead us back to the good old days.
Actually we haven't strayed that far in the 139 years since Howe got things going, because world peace is as elusive now as it was then. Back in 1870, history tells us Howe wanted mothers to protest the killing of each other's sons.
This Mother's Day, as they've done for so many others, Code Pink, a women's peace group, will hold activities across the country calling for our troops to come home from Afghanistan and Iraq "so that no more mothers will suffer the unbearable grief of losing a child to these wars."
In Washington, D.C Code Pink will bind knitted squares, made by women across the country, to form a quilt with the message "We will not raise our children to kill another mother's child" and string it on the White House fence. Then they'll circle the White House in a children's march for peace.
With our troublesome economy, perhaps former gift givers and the recipients can now put their focus on life - what I really believe is most important to all mothers. Where's the mother who wouldn't trade a present and an out-to-dinner treat for the life of a child - even if the economy was rocking?
Learn more about Code Pink by visiting www.codepinkalert.org/
This blog can be found in our columns section where you can print a copy or e-mail to someone
http://talkaboutparenting.org/pages/articles.php
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Comment
| | 1. | Everyone who received this post should make a commitment to access Code Pink's website to determine what their activities are in reminding the American Electorate about the importance of PEACE.
Just imagine the monies saved in military spending if we didn't have to replace the military equipment destroyed in each war we undertake and the number of civilian lives saved in Pakistan as our unmanned drones in bombing Al Queda too often kill members in a wedding party instead.
Yes, instead of funding capitalist America by spending needlessly on gifts for our mothers save the money and participate in Code Pink's call for peace in adherence to the reason the day was celebrated in the first place.
- by Beverlee Bruce, 05-10-2009, 5:28 PM
| | 2. | As with a number of things in our society, the true essence of Mother's Day has become shrouded under trinkets, materialism, and superficiality. Thank you for sharing the original concept behind Mother's Day.
- by phxsays, 05-10-2009, 12:46 PM
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