Rock The Cradle and Rule The World

I am  reminded that Mother’s day is upon us. It’s the day for celebrating and honoring mothers, motherhood and lifting up the influence mothers have on society and indeed all of us individually. I was reminded of the poem I learned many years when children were made to commit things to memory. Written by William Ross Wallace in 1865, the poem’ The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Rules the World is totally relevant today. The first stanza is my favorite. Blessings on the hand of women!Angels guard its strength and grace.In the palace, cottage, hovel,  Oh, no matter where the place;Would that never storms assailed it,    Rainbows ever gently curled,For the hand that rocks the cradle    Is the hand that rules the world.     With trials and troubles stirring around us influencing our children in so many different ways, fear and worry envelops the nation and hopes are hard to find these days.    Still the job of raising children falls upon feminine hands. This is not to suggest that fathers aren’t important, but mothers are there to teach and reinforce the values and life lessons we hold dear. I don’t know what yours are but my list includes values, responsibility, manners, goal setting, money management, a willingness to contribute to society and become a mature responsible adult.    We all know this is not an easy task and so much of the time we feel like throwing out hands in the air in surrender but this is not really an option.  Infancy's the tender fountain,    Power may with beauty flow,Mothers first to guide the streamlets,    From them souls unresting grow —Grow on for the good or evil,    Sunshine streamed or evil hurled,For the hand that rocks the cradle    Is the hand that rules the world.    We must teach, love, and nurture our children, so they can in turn become wise, loving and responsible people. And you know what, no one can love like children. They are in profound need to feel loved and wanted, and to feel important and needed and they give more than they get.     Then, there’s another thought. If there were no mothers, there would be no people in the world. If you didn’t have a mother, you wouldn’t exist. It’s she who has taught us to have confidence and believe in ourselves. If you are a functioning adult, whether you’re tough or tender, thank your mother for wrapping her arms around and showing you how. That was her job.     No one is perfect but most mothers worked hard and made sacrifices, so that their children can have lives that are better than their own. And if she has fallen short, open your heart and drop your resentments. Forgiving her will make life better for both of you.     If your’s is a mother who needs no gifts, find ways to let her know that you love and cherish her throughout the year by setting aside some time to give just to her.     I must admit, I’m getting personal on this one. My children are long grown and have children of their own but I still enjoy the closeness and sharing that was only ours to enjoy. So if my children were around for Mother’s day, I’d have them work beside me while we did the following tasks.What’s A Person to do?1. One good house cleaning. That would include washing windows, dusting the floors, doors and picture frames.2.  Weed the gardens, flower beds, trim the trees and prepare the home and grounds for spring. 3. Pick bouquets of flowers, even dandelions from the grounds to brighten the indoors.  4. Hangout in the kitchen while working together to make a nice dinner. Then we’d sit together and share the meal and reminisce about their childhoods and our times together.    Even if they bought me housekeeping and lawn services, it wouldn’t give me as much joy.     So, find a way to make mothers feel special and if she is no longer with us, share her memory with the next generations of her heirs so they can learn from and live out her legacy.And well sign off with this stanza of William Ross Wallace’s poemWoman, how divine your missionHere upon our natal sod!Keep, oh, keep the young heart openAlways to the breath of God!All true trophies of the agesAre from mother-love impearled;For the hand that rocks the cradleIs the hand that rules the world.    © Rachell N. Anderson, PSY. D., April 25, 2019Rock The Cradle and Rule The World