Imagine a home sans a mother

Rev Fr Paul Lelen Haokip *

'Tha Tha Thabungton': A scene from 'Heyang Athouba' : Rhythm of Manipur's Production at JN Manipur Dance Akademi in July 2013 :: Pix - Bullu Raj

INTRODUCTION

For people who still have the coveted privilege of having mothers, the topic “IMAGINE A HOME SANS A MOTHER” will hardly make sense. Hold on, we all have precarious potential of losing our mothers any time. Perhaps then, we will understand. Every mother has a divine role in cherishing and teaching her children. “If you curse father or mother, your lamp will go out in utter darkness” (Proverbs 20:20).

MOTHERS NURTURE:

Fathers are usually engaged in manual or hard labour for the up-keep of the family members. Rightly so. Mothers are care-takers of the future generation from inception, stages of growth (infancy, childhood, teenage, adulthood) and more. She sees the child's strongest moments and weakest moments. He nurtures the child without much complains. She is happy to see the child grow every moment. She cleanses, corrects, teaches and directs the child towards maturity and socially accepted mannerism. She is an unpaid professor.

But she still nurtures because she loves the child (you and me). “A mother's nurturing love arouses in children, from their earliest days on earth, an awakening of the memories of love and goodness they experienced in their pre-mortal existence. Because our mothers love us, we learn, or more accurately remember, that God also loves us.” declares M. Russell Ballard.

SHE FORGIVES:

Imagine your home as a civil court house. Invariably you will be sent to prison at least once a day. Perhaps your bail papers will be the most precious things you will be preserving. If you count your faults and number of times she forgives you, you will realize how God lovingly forgives us our wrong. She forgive with the thought that her child (you) will improve. She is an embodiment of God's love for you.

DON'T FORGET TO APPRECIATE:

You who have mothers, don't forget to show appreciation to your mothers. This may be the last Mothers' Day for her. Celebrate every moment. Mothers deserve our undying gratitude. Exodus 20:12 reads “Honour your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Appreciation is one such honour.

For those whose mothers are already no more, thank them, appreciate them and pray for them. If you have learnt anything good from your mother, never hesitate to multiply that love during your life time. Love is contagious, let loose. Let your mother live forever through you. Mothers, your children do need your tender pad of appreciation that can take wings for their future flight in life. Be stingy with criticism and generous with appreciation. This is the way to happiness.

TODAY'S MOTHERS:

Turn to the right, you see an exemplary mother - rare and beautiful. Turn to the left you see a struggling mother to send her kids to school and feed them. Turn around, you also see many mothers – single, married, widowed, divorced, some with children and some without. With whom do you identify yourself with? Sadly, we also find mothers irresponsible beyond words and far from any suitable comparison. Yes, let them be what they are. We can't possibly change our mothers. Proverbs 15:20 reminds us thus “But the foolish despise their mothers.”

RESPONSIBLE MOTHER:

“As a mother you have been given divine instincts to help you sense your child's special talents and unique capacities,” says Elder Scott. It's an incomparable treasure to find a responsible mother. We do find many in our societies. They pray and sacrifice for the family with the single thought that her child becomes someone. That dream can be realized in YOU. Be 'that' dream come true. The sad story is that children are not able to adequately respond to the sacrifices and unspoken dreams of mothers.

CONCLUSION:

We shall not look for perfect mothers, for we shall find not. Rather, we will find working mothers, divorced mothers, single mothers, infected and affected mothers, praying mothers and super-moms. You are 'the world' to your mum. Embrace this opportunity to make her feel that world on this Mothers' Day. We love you mothers.