Our County
D. Gary Davis
County Mayor
Mothers… in a League of their own
An old Spanish proverb says "an ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.” This simple quote is a reminder of the immense influence a mother has upon the education, morals and character of a child. A mother's mark is permanent, for good or bad. She leaves a lasting impression upon her children, grandchildren, and by extension, upon society and the world at large. Nothing is more important to our families and our nation than motherhood. A good, loving and godly mother is truly in a league of her own.
In his classic poem first published in 1865, poet William Ross Wallace praised motherhood as the preeminent force for change in the world. The last line of his poem says "For the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”
There is nothing to compare to a mother’s influence. This fact is clearly seen in the writings and quotes from some of the world’s greatest leaders. Napoleon expressed his belief that "the future destiny of a child is always the work of the mother.” Abraham Lincoln gave credit to his mother for his success by saying "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother. I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” Our first president, George Washington said "I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from my mother." Academy Award winning actor Denzel Washington said, "My mother never gave up on me.” Accomplished author Kristin Hannah said "my mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart.” Susannah Wesley found time to give each or her nineteen children a one hour Bible lesson every week. Two of her sons, John and Charles, became the co-founders of Methodism.
This is just a small sampling of a mother’s influence upon the lives of great and accomplished men and women. They not only shape lives... they shape history. This fact was not lost on President Theodore Roosevelt who said "The mother is the one supreme asset of national life. She is more important, by far, than the successful states-man, businessman, artist, or scientist,”
Volumes have been written about our country’s Founding Fathers. However, in her bestselling book Founding Mothers, author Cokie Roberts says that without our exemplary women, the country might have never survived. Roberts says they were crucial to the forging of this new nation.
On Sunday May 12 about 96% of Americans will pause to pay special tribute to mothers. Mother’s Day is the peak day for long distance phone calls and one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants. It is also the second highest gift-giving holiday in the U.S. These statistics are vivid reminders of a mother’s power of influence, giving form, substance and shape to our lives.
This was certainly true of my mother. She left behind a legacy of love, Godly character and integrity that will influence the Davis family for generations. There are many things I miss about her and I am grateful that in a world of abused and abandoned children, I had a mother who loved me, nurtured me, and taught me right from wrong. I miss her friendship, her strength, her humor, and her love for my children. She was the type of person who seeing there were only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announced she never did care for pie. In her final days I slept in the next room and vividly remember hearing her very moving prayers as she knew her time was up. She prayed for me and my family and all of her family. This memory will stay with me forever.
This Mother’s Day join me in thanking God for those gracious ladies whose influence is immeasurable and whose value to her children and to our culture cannot be calculated.