This Rose Is For You

What ever happen to the idea of wearing a white or red carnation on Mother's Day?

Living in the southern part of the United States during my childhood it was tradition for you to wear a carnation to church on Mother's Day.  I soon realized that some wore red carnations and others white carnations.  Every Mother's Day, because we could not afford a carnation from the florist, mother would find a rose bush that was blooming and pin a red rose to my shirt.  Not only to me but also to both of my siblings, and my dad had to wear a flower as well.  (He wore a white flower, because his mother passed away six weeks after his birth.)

I asked mother one time what this meant and she simply stated, if you wore a red carnation it meant that your mom was still living.  If you wore a white carnation it meant your mom was dead.

Seldom today, in the culture that I live around, do you see anyone wearing a flower in church on Mother's Day.  But today we still celebrate an over 100-year tradition of honoring our mothers.  Interesting enough it was May 10, 1914, that President Woodrow Wilson made a proclamation declaring the second Sunday of May the first National Mother's Day.

History books tell us that it was as early as 1868 that a special day was thought of to honor mothers. It was an attempt by one woman by the name of Anna Jarvis to reunite families due to the Civil War among the states.  And guess what?  Mrs. Jarvis's favorite flower was said to be a carnation.

Civil War in the United States today is not the problem in family separations, but many families are much divided.  It is my prayer that today is a day that families are reunited and those that are united that their cords will be stronger and will not be broken.

Roses in honor of Carissa
and my mother...

Now I may not be wearing a red rose today but mother thank you for being the mom that you are.  Thanks for all the times that you and dad sacrifice so that we could enjoy life as children in a godly home.  Thanks for the teaching of God's Word but more so the example you lived before me.

To my wife, Carissa, who has always loved children and has been a great mom to our three children and a loving grandmother to our grandson.  Carissa has been that mother figure to many of the children in her Pre-K Class in the public school and in her Sunday School classes that she taught for the past 34 years.  Thanks for being a mom to so many.

Roses in honor of all of the great moms...

Thank you to the many moms that have sacrificed many things for their children.  For some moms that I know that has been misunderstood or others that have suffered abused.  Thanks for being the caring, compassionate, mom that you are.  For loving your children and making their life simpler by doing all that you do for them.

I have been blessed to know many great ladies; some of who are moms and others that are not, that have been a part of Carissa and my life.  They have influenced many others and us.  Thank you for being the person you are and the difference you are making in the lives of those around you.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!