Red Rose...White Rose

I've had another busy day today, this time preparing for our Mother's Day program at church. This event has been my responsibility for probably 10 years (would you say that it's someone else's turn?). I have had the job of doing Father's Day programs as well as several other special events from time to time. We try to do something special for all mothers, living and deceased. In the past, we gave a single red rose; however, some mothers should receive white roses since that indicates that their mother is deceased. I will never forget the year that I was first eligible for a white rose. Believe me, I didn't like that, not one bit! I missed my mom so much and I wanted to wear a red rose so badly! I remember, as children, Mother would always go out in our yard and pick us a red rose to wear on Mother's Day Sunday. That was a special treat. One year, Mother's roses didn't do well so we ran to my aunt's house to see if she had any. No luck there, either, so we continued rambling the neighborhood until we found a few red roses, not the most beautiful, but red roses all the same. Since then, I have always felt like I was supposed to wear a red rose. Now, I cannot make myself wear a white rose. I don't even like them anymore!! BUT, there is one bright note which I shall always cherish: My mother was a fine Christian lady. And although, I must needs wear white roses on this earth, I have no doubt that she is living...living in Heaven with my Lord and Savior! What comfort that is! I truly believe that she would tell me: "Daughter, wear a red rose. For, I am alive...I am alive in Jesus!" Some day I will see her again and I hope we will both be wearing a beautiful red rose.

Thinking about our church's celebration of Mother's Day, last year, we began the tradition of lighting candles to honor and/or memorialize mothers; members of the church purchase the candle for a donation of $2.00 which will go toward cancer research. This year, we are nearing 100 mothers to remember. We, then, honor all mothers present with a small token of our love and appreciation. Lastly, we select a mother to honor by presenting her with a corsage, then spend a few moments elaborating on her background, her Christian work-past and present-, and tidbits of interest, sometimes humorous ones. Maybe I will share a bit of this with you in a future blog. It's a lot of fun and it gives our church members a chance to know this mother a little better.