Getting ready for Mother’s Day

Getting ready for Mother’s Day

As I look back over my life, I am trying to understand why a tradition of wearing flowers on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day is almost lost, not really recognized today by young people.

To wear a red flower over your heart means your parent is alive. When you wear a white flower over your heart, this means your parent is deceased. Two days out of a year this is an outward expression of love. Real men have no shame in wearing a single rose or carnation for a prom, special sports event, St. Patrick’s Day, wedding or anniversary celebration.

Nowadays we see mothers all dressed up in their beautiful outfits, a new coat, hat, dress, purse and shoes to match, but what about the flowers?

This is what some would call “old school.”

A second tradition involves music. Some senior citizens are praying and hoping to hear what they call “their songs” in the local churches today.

My favority is, “If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again.” The next favorite: “Give Me My Flowers While I Yet Live, So That I can See The Beauty That They Bring.”

I have been patiently watching, listening and waiting for this opportunity to address some directors and musicians.Let us not forget the old traditional gospels that our seniors remember and that they want to sing along with the choir.

Just a simple reminder, when buying cards, gifts, perfume and candy, make sure to give someone a single rose, hanging plant, a pot of tulips, a bundle of assorted lilies, a breast or wrist corsage, a dozen carnations, or a wreath placed at the grave site of a loved one because flowers do speak volumes.

I must acknowledge the Bible states clearly a covenant for children. This is found in Exodus 20:12: “Honor thy father and they mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

Linda Marie Sutton-Hawkins, Youngstown