Omaha daily bee., 1914-10-22
Mothers Day

i
The second Sunday in May has been
set aside by the government 10 be cele-
orated ss Mothers day. But In our home
! and in most American homes every day
Is mothers day. II seems more like
mothers day. however. when she Is
actually in the house. We love mother
best with her bat off, when her kind and
patient eyes are not in shadow and we
can touch the little streaks Of silver In
her soft dark hair.
| When, as children. we came trooplng
home from school. we always shouted the
first thing we crossed the threshold.
Where are you, mother?' II there came
no answering call. Tn the kitchen.
darlings" or ;'Here in my room" g chill
| fell on us and the very spirit OF life itself
seemed to have vanished. How deserted
the place felt How loud and lonely
sounded the ticking OF the clock IN the
} dining room. Then came the sad realiza-
ton that on Tuesday afternoon the
Ladies' Aid society or Foreign Missions
always swallowed her up and that for
the time being we must postpone sharing
our childish JOYS and sorrows with
mother
dren Of each generation throughout etern-
ity. For it's sharing life with you that
Keeps youth sweet and clean and whole
some. It's having you. for an anchor in
time OF temptation that helps us weather
many gale. It's knowing we will al
ways find you at the same old stand, with
your hat off and your kind hand held out
to us. no matter in what mood we come,
that forces us to believe in a Life beyond
life. Power greater than the powers OF
the world and OF flesh. oh, mother. life
is grim and bitter business. We are
often too rushed to give you the tender
words Of appreciation which are your
due. Do you realize that to US, your
sons and daughters, you stand for spifit-.
uaI foFcs?. Do you know that it u.s. your
nonpartisan attitude toward the squab-
bles OF your children that has made you
our court OF last resortf
They would have US believe. the suffra-
gists, that you. our mother. are failure.
They tell US that to be success you must
identify, yourself with the democratic, the
republican, the progressive or the social
ist party. They want you to keep your
hat on all the time. They want you to
parade. They want you to hike. They
want you to attend caucuses. primaries
and conventions and to speak from the
tail OF cart in the city streets at night.
II you are good and faithful mother
your work is never done now. dear. Must
this oSd be added to your other tasksH
For governing taxes the ability of the
strongest men and It is no light and
simple performance. And II you are to
become a mother to the municipality who
is TO mother US. your children? Who Is
to be waiting for us at home In time OF
need, an anchor which 10 permanent In
the toughest storm7
The children Of tomorrow walt across
HES threshold on the side nearest
heaven. where are you mother7' they
call. Oh girls OF today who are the
mothers Of tomorrow. where you are
there must your children be also. They
are your hostages TO fortune. They are
your natural and inevitable handicap.
Even as they spread, they clip your
wings.
How may a woman enter the public
arena and run as fast and run as far
as man IL little hands are clinging to
her skirts7 How can she compete with
men and win at their game II she car
ries a baby in her arms? Success In
public life can only come to our girls
II they drop their babies or refuse ever
to feel the pressure OF q babys head
against their hearts
Our mothers, you women whom we
honor, because OF us, your children, you
have never made any place for your
selves in public life Because OF you,
your mothers did not enter the public
arena. Mothers have always played the
game of life for higher stakes ana (suf-
fragists to the contrary notwithstanding,
there are higher stakes. Self abnegntlon
and self sacrifice have always been the
lot OF motherhood. They were the por-
ton of the Christ, IN whose footsteps
mothers have always followed. Your
goal has been spirituel achievement. not
worldly success.
When, on quiet Sunday mornings, the
church bells ring throughout the land,
fold your worn hands and breathe a
prayer for US all. your chiidren--we NEED
your intarcession sadly, for many Of US
have come bitter distance since we
learned to whisper at your knee, our
Father. which art in heaven" some OF |
US have tasted the drees IN life's cup.
Oh mothers. our methers, what have
you not endured for as. your children. m |
your bodies. in your hearts ana in your
souls When we pause to pay our trfbune
to you there rises a lump In the throat |
and we cannot see because our syas
grow blind with tears. The ground on
which We are standing is holy ground. |
Your halo is the connecting link he
tween earth and heaven. DO not be |
tempted TO discard Il for q wreath OF
dusty laurel leaves. Blessed are YOU
among women today oh mothers, for Of
all women you have chosen the better
part MARJORIE DoRMAN.