As
we celebrate our mothers this Sunday, May 10th, we will do so in our
own ways, depending upon individual circumstances and situations. I will be one
of those daughters who honors her mother with memories – having done so since her
passing eight years ago.
I
have many fond recollections that include her love of peonies, her excitement
when something good happened in her life or the lives of her loved ones, and - when
I became adult – her love of sitting down with me for margaritas on the rocks
with salt at her favorite Mexican restaurant.
But
one memory that is making a deep impression on me today are the times my mother
worried unnecessarily about me or the world in general. One question she posed
often and continues to echo in my mind is, “What is this world coming to?”
She
would often reference that question to the worry she carried within her about
how people treated one another – and at times - the concern about the youth –
whether the future held a bright promise for them (and thus her children). I,
of course, dismissed her concerns as any know-it-all and highly idealistic
daughter would. “We are going to be fine – just fine,” I often told her.
If
Mom were alive today, I suspect she would wonder with more intensity and frequency
what the world is coming too. As I walk into my own middle-age, that
question begins to bubble up in my own psyche from time to time. However, just
as I am about to give up on the world, there is always something that – or
someone who - converts my unnecessary worry and judgment about the status of
the world into joy and trust of a beautiful life that exist now with an even better
future in store.
In
the four years at The Windham Eagle newspaper, meeting and interviewing many
people in the community, I have been reminded time and time again that although
- yes, these are crazy times (always have been and most likely always will be) there
are also so many delightful and exquisite surprises that still remain.
The
most recent “savior” in my glass half-full perception shift is 9-year-old Byron
Davis of Windham and his family. (See front page for story at http://frontpage.thewindhameagle.com/2020/05/byrons-bloom-bombs-explode-with.html ). This innovative
young student has made a huge impact on the world around him by the simple
gesture of giving away over 900 homemade paper seed discs to essential workers that
include everyone from medical staff to grocery store cashiers.
Although
his mission is to serve a specific group of individuals, what this third-grade
student may not realize is that this seemingly minor act creates a ripple
effect beyond his targeted goal, touching individuals far and wide, including
this small-town newspaper writer.
No
matter what this world is coming to, with all the Byron Davises that dot this
big round globe, how can one be discouraged? How can one worry about our
future?
They
say what you focus upon becomes the reality in your life. I have never claimed
to know the whole truth or to own the copyright on it, but my curiosity has the
best of me. What would happen if we dedicated our thoughts to ways we could
improve the world for others – and in doing so, improve our own lives.
If
my mother had the opportunity to meet or to know of Byron, my guess is that she
might still ask, “What is this world coming to?” But instead of asking the
question out of concern, it would be in the form of a statement that carries with
it a peace of mind.
Perhaps
the greatest honor I could offer to the memory of my mother, is to forever be
changed by the act of one person.
Happy Mother's Day!
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