Many many years ago, I was in DeMolay, a Masonic organization for young men. I read Tribute to Motherhood as the chaplin for the the Olympic Veiw chapter. We had a member who could recite this by heart each Mothers' Day for our moms. My mom is gone now I thought I'd share it with you all, in case you, too, may want to share it with one you love.
Tribute to Motherhood
God thought to give the sweetest thing in His almighty power to earth, and deeply wondering what it should be one hour, in fondest joy and of heart outweighing every other,
He cast the gates of heaven apart, and gave to earth a mother.
Why? For save in heaven there's a name so sweet so hallowed, deep from the heart it leaps, It springs and softly hovers on the lips and sings of love and joy and happiness, There's never a heartbeat out of time never a nature out of rhyme, with mother.
The mother sending forth her child to meet with cares and strife.
breathes through her tears, her hopes, her fears for that loved one's future life.
No cold "Adieu" or "farewell" lives beneath her choking sighs,
but the deepest story of anguish gives. "God bless thee son, goodbye."
So you see, there are many, many reasons why we love you mother dear
though tonight we're not repeating all we've told you through the years;
but ever loving wishes and our thoughts so fond and true
will be in our hearts for always, just because dears you are you.
For there's a well worn path and it leads straight through the lanes of out hearts 'till it comes to you !
And the vines of love and the flowers of cheer bloom there all seasons of the year.But on this night they bloom anew with the best wishes, all for you.
So, count your garden by flowers, and never by the leaves that fall.
Count your days by golden hours, and don't remember clouds at all.
Count your nights by stars, not shadows, count your life with smiles, not tears.
And on this night when you we honor, count your age by friends not years.
For God has not promised skies always blue, Nor flower strewn pathways all our lives through.
Nor has God promised sun without rain,
joy without sorrow or peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day, rest for the laborer, light on the way, grace for your trials and help from above,
His unfailing sympathy, His undying love.
So mothers, just for yourselves were these thoughts tonight, for you and you only dears.
The hopes that are known in our hearts alone and the love that we're sending here.
And just for yourselves is this one loving wish, that all that is fine and true, may bless you as truly as we have been blessed by the gift of your love and by you.
