ALT-1 Mothers Day
Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you to mothers who are now of retirement age. Everyone knows mothers never retire, no matter what age they reach. People we meet in their fifties, sixties or beyond, often mention that their mothers still worry if they are on the road or if they are facing any kind of challenge. And we send a message of thanks to all mothers who are no longer with us. Memories of happy times over a lifetime often enrich the lives of today’s seniors. Ask people to tell you about life with their mothers and you will usually get a story and a twinkle in the eye.
Thank you to mothers of younger children who in spite of busy lifestyles still find time to put the needs of their children first. You are the mothers of our grandchildren. We see you at the gym when infants often accompany mommy for a daily workout. We see you at hockey and soccer practices and games, at music lessons and dance classes, at church and Sunday School, at the library, the pool, the parks, at Beavers, Sparks, Cubs and Brownies, at so many birthday parties and family celebrations.
We appreciate the efforts you make to give your children alternatives to “screen time”, whether it’s television or computer. We appreciate the hours you spend at play with your children, both indoors and outdoors. You are creating memories!
You’re rushing around dropping children off at school and doing last minute details on a presentation for work when you get the call. Your mother has had a fall and she is at Emergency. Dad is worried and asking you to come over right now. You aren’t part of the sandwich generation; this is a club sandwich with all the trimmings! And there are boomers and about-to-be boomers for whom this is a fact of life. Thank you to mothers who are part of the “sandwich generation”. This includes all those sandwiched between aging parents and their own children or even grandchildren. Mothers who are faced with the demanding challenges of caring for aging parents and coping with their own children often find their lives hectic and stressful. Care giving of loved ones is far more likely to be done by women than men, often more than twice as many hours are spent. Yet so many caregivers would not change this opportunity to provide for those closest to them.
We salute you on Mother’s Day and every day!
