Mother’s Day

My mother, Josephine Ponder, celebrates her 71st Mother’s Day this Sunday.  As her firstborn, I asked if having a 71-year-old child made her feel older.  She simply said she is glad to be here.

I recall our earliest Mother’s Day celebrations.  We often attended church with my grandmother Catharine.  Typically, mothers wore corsages provided either by their children or the men in the congregation.  My mother wore a red flower, while my grandmother would have a white one.  The tradition was to wear red if one’s mother was alive and white if one’s mother had passed away.

There was always a big dinner, though I don’t recall who cooked it.  Later, we started going to restaurants in Dothan after church on Sundays.  Today, this holiday continues to be the busiest day of the year for restaurants.

Every Mother’s Day, my aunt would send my grandmother a white lily.  As she and her family lived on the West Coast, visiting in person proved challenging.  In contrast, our grandmother lived just down the street from our family in Cottonwood.  

My other grandmother, referred to as Granny, lived five hours away by car.  On Mother’s Day, my father would consistently make it a point to call her.  Interestingly, Mother’s Day is the day on which the highest number of phone calls are made throughout the year.  

For seventy one years, numerous cards and flowers have been sent to my mother.  In the past forty one years, she lived hours away from her children.  Currently, she lives a few miles from my sister Josephine, affectionately referred to as “Sister” by our family. My sister consistently supports her on Mother’s Day, as well as most every other day.  

Flowers continue to arrive at Mom’s residence, similar to many mothers across the nation.  It is the third busiest day of the year for florists.

My mother, “Jobie” to her friends, has been a constant support. Though we’ve had an occasional argument over time, I inherited her drive and desire to excel.  While I share many of her traits, dancing is not one of them.  

For the past 45 years, my wife, Mary Lou, has celebrated Mother’s Day with our daughters, beginning with Catherine and then Elizabeth.  This weekend marks their own 18th and 16th Mother’s Day, respectively.  They have all exemplified exceptional motherhood and deserve recognition for their success in raising fine children.

Among all the mothers in my life, there has been a consistent theme of unwavering love for their children.  They show fierce protectiveness while simultaneously allowing their children to grow through their own experiences and mistakes.  

All the children in my family, from siblings to grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, are successful and happy.  This achievement requires effort and community support.  Mothers, however, seem to have a unique and essential bond with their children.

I’ve written many Mother’s Day columns, but it always comes down to this: Thanks for everything, Mom.  We love you.  Happy Mother’s Day.

o0o

Dan Ponder can be reached at [email protected]