Mother's Day, The Civil War, Temperance, & Carnations

I was surprised to learn today that Mother's Day was connected to the Civil War and an anti-war observance. I never saw a card about that at Hallmark!

Source: Wikipedia

Early "Mother's Day" was mostly marked by women's peace groups. A common early activity was the meeting of groups of mothers whose sons had fought or died on opposite sides of the American Civil War. In New York City, Julia Ward Howe led a "Mother's Day" anti-war observance in 1872, which was accompanied by a Mother's Day Proclamation. The observance continued in Boston for about 10 years under Howe's personal sponsorship, then died out.

Several years later, a Mother's Day observance on May 13, 1877 was held in Albion, Michigan, over a dispute related to the temperance movement. According to local legend, Albion pioneer, Juliet Calhoun Blakeley, stepped up to complete the sermon of the Rev. Myron Daughterty, who was distraught because an anti-temperance group had forced his son and two other temperance advocates to spend the night in a saloon and become publicly drunk. In the pulpit, Blakeley called on other mothers to join her. Blakeley's two sons, both traveling salesmen, were so moved that they vowed to return each year to pay tribute to her and embarked on a campaign to urge their business contacts to do likewise. At their urging, in the early 1880s, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Albion set aside the second Sunday in May to recognize the special contributions of mothers.

Frank E. Hering, President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, made the first known public plea for "a national day to honor our mothers" in 1904.

In its present form, Mother's Day was established by Anna Marie Jarvis, following the death of her mother on May 9, 1905; she campaigned to establish Mother's Day as a U.S. national, and later an international, holiday.

Originally the Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church, the site of the original Mother's Day commemoration, where Anna handed out carnations, the International Mother's Day Shrine is now a National Historic Landmark. From there, the custom caught on—spreading eventually to 46 states. The holiday was declared officially by some states as early as 1912, beginning with West Virginia. On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day and requesting a proclamation. On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made that proclamation, declaring the first national Mother's Day, as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war.

Carnations /flowers have come to represent Mother's Day, since they were delivered at one of its first celebrations by its founder. This also started the custom of wearing a carnation on Mother's Day. The founder, Anna Jarvis, chose the carnation because it was the favorite flower of her mother. In part due to the shortage of white carnations, and in part due to the efforts to expand the sales of more types of flowers in Mother's Day, the florists promoted wearing a red carnation if your mother was living, or a white one if she was dead; this was tirelessly promoted until it made its way into the popular observations at churches.

In May 2008, the US House of Representatives voted twice on a resolution commemorating Mother's Day, the first one being unanimous so that all congressmen would be on record showing support for Mother's Day.

In the United States, "Mother's Day Work Clubs" were organized by Anna Jarvis's mother, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis (1832-1905), to improve sanitation and health in the area. These clubs also assisted both Union and Confederate encampments controlling a typhoid outbreak, and conducted a "Mothers' Friendship Day" to reconcile families divided by the Civil War.

Backyard Inspiration

So, I'm sitting at my desk right now, in my second floor office. Window open. Delightful spring breeze freshens the room. Late afternoon sunshine spills in. And then what to my wondering ears? The Vangelis theme from "Chariots of Fire" fills the yard...the neighborhood...at least several backyards near us. Suddenly, I feel inspired. I feel the urge to run in slow motion along the water on a sandy shore. But the bigger urge is to figure out where this large sound is coming from...and why??...and why only the first 8 measures or so?

That "Flying Scotsman," Eric Liddell, sure inspired us all, didn't he? Unless you were not born in 1981, or going to movies at the time. This film must be a cultural icon and I bet just reading this makes you hum the theme song, whether you saw the movie or not. I know I am humming. No, wait. It's not me. It's the actual song playing again through our backyard. I think I know where it is coming from. What a pleasant distraction, really. After all, the mystery neighborhood DJ could have selected a little something from Metallica! I wonder if they are taking requests.

Well, back to work. Gotta love living in an urban community.

American Violet

I would like to see the new movie "American Violet," released today, to better understand my world and issues of racial injustice. Unfortunately, it is not playing in my neighborhood. It is locally only in 2 theaters...both 45 minutes away. That's difficult.

www.americanviolet.com

Yet, "17 Again" with tween heart throb Zac Efron is everywhere around here. So, marketers know how people will spend their movie money in this area.

Is this any kind of social statement? Are people out here not interested in urban struggles? So a movie promoter won't risk showing it in the suburban areas? Maybe. Maybe not. I cannot claim to make that assumption. Marketers do their research and, plain and simple, movies that target kids are always the big money makers. The heavier themed movies don't create the box office buzz. Naturally, this impacts the money promoters will put behind a movie. Can't blame them. This is business to them. That is a wise business decision.

Many go to movies for entertainment, and films like "American Violet," might not be a seen to distract from everyday life and entertain. I like entertaining movies, too. I can't find fault with that.

Consider "Slumdog Millionaire." That movie took the theater going audience by storm after barely getting any attention from the movie business. That one was a brilliant blend of tough social issues and entertainment, as evidenced by the popularity.

So, back to if the lack of theaters showing the movie a social statement. Not really. Would crowds in my area be interested in "American Violet?" I know many who would. Truthfully, word of mouth will need to carry this one and move people to go see it, support it, and/or rent it.

The personal irony is that I've eliminated spending money on most non-essentials like movies in theaters. So, I probably won't go. I'd love to be part of the good turn-out this weekend to catch the attention and get wider release, but my money priorities are elsewhere right now. I'll look forward to renting it. Glen makes excellent popcorn! Better than theater popcorn any day!

My Big Question of the Day

Why are homemade cookies so good?

"Great Spirits"...Great Quote

I find myself weary of seeing the previous post. I noticed I hadn't blogged for over a month -- almost two. Even though March was busy and brimming with blogolicious moments, events, and ponderings, none of that has yet to be included here.

So, for today's purpose, which is to merely move along the previous post, let me quote a brilliant man, Albert Einstein:

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."

Don't you just feel like that some days? Either living the role of the great spirit or the mediocre mind.

Junk Mail Amusement

Today I went through our mail, and here is what I scanned through:

• Save hundreds of dollars a year! (Insurance offer)
• Changes to the IRS Code have been passed that directly affect your Teacher Retirement System benefits -- Mr. Peterson (I'm the teacher in the house)
• An extra $5,000 now... (preferred homeowners)
• Our bundle is better (Charter Cable)
• Glen, we have $7,500 available for you RIGHT NOW. (financial services)
• Open a free checking account and cash in our $100 offer (bank merge)
• This is to inform you that your automotive warranty may have expired (company not clearly identified)

It is my lucky day! So many opportunities to profit...or not. Well, I'm off to the shredder.

Rachel Carson Insight

I am reading The Sense of Wonder, by Rachel Carson, 1956. The text is memorable to me...I do love nature. She is quotable.

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in."

"I sincerely believe that for the child, and for the parent seeking to guide him, it is not half so important to know as to feel. If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow. The years of early childhood are the time to prepare the soil. Once the emotions have been aroused -- a sense of the beautiful, the excitement of the new and the unknown, a feeling of sympathy, pity, admiration, or love-- then we wish for knowledge about the object of our emotional response. Once found, it has lasting meaning. It is more important to pave the way for the child to want to know than to put him on a diet of facts he is not ready to assimilate."

These are powerful thoughts. I hear parents and educators express anxiety about not knowing enough. Find freedom as a preparer of soil, as facilitator.

As an educator, and as an aunt and friend to children and young adults, I think Carson's perspective provides an anchor to learning together. We are now in a postmodern society and some education and parenting is still in the modern tradition (facts rule).

What are kids really into as they reach perhaps middle school and on into adult life -- music. Where would you categorize music, if you had to do so? Fact? Or emotion?

Think about traditional school life, largely based on fact management, so as to make it easy to test kids and evaluate the success of the school. Probably because emotion is hard to quantify and term useful or productive in modern tradition. As school years progress, have you noticed that many kids disconnect from learning as modeled for them in tradition school experiences? I have.

Listen to great people in interviews as to why so many drop out of high school. Their answers miss the obvious in many responses, at least for me. Perhaps an answer may be found in these thoughts shared by Carson. The delicate balance of facts and emotion. I also think the force (as in the silent hand that steers all things classroom) to learn the facts continues to quietly shout or whisper with a roar in such a way that many kids inadvertently become convinced that they are stupid, or at least not good enough, that they do not measure up. So why would they stay in school? Besides the fact that school gives them time to listen to their Ipods [music...emotion] and possibly feel something, even if only drama, in friendships.

Older students are fighting for meaning. Traditional school often does not offer that. Isn't it more powerful to be able to know how to research and find facts (which do tend to change and expand anyway...I memorized nine planets, case in point), and discern the truth (I once saw several pages of Internet opportunities to go whale watching in Lake Michigan, for example), and then use the truth. Kids often merely memorize and complete assignments to play the game of school, often without true context and connection, often at stages of development that cannot support the experience (higher math for me). [Note: I do highly value the important skill of completing assignments and doing so on time...very practical.]

Thank you, Lord, for teachers that engage students and prepare the "soil" for the facts to grow through best practices in the classroom and hearts to serve human beings fighting for their souls while society values them as future producers in the economy. Good teachers facilitate the invitation for a child to "want to know," and provide earthy, warm, nutritious soil to grow.

And what about passing along a life-gripping, authentic faith in Christ to the next generation? Do we simply pound the facts of the faith and neglect the emotions which connect with the untamed mystery of God, those emotions that reveal a God bigger than my image of Him? I have observed many kids growing up with all the facts of the faith, but it doesn't quite translate in to a passion to follow Christ in authentic living and continued hunger and growth. They often can simple tell you why they are right and others are wrong. That is a bridge to nowhere. Get out the yellow "Caution" tape.

We all learn to give the right answers. How do we learn to ask the right questions? To wonder. I wonder. Thank you, Rachel Carson, for a good read on the Sense of Wonder.

A Great Day

Today is a great day. I'll try a haiku to capture it.

Winter, cloudy, cold,
Cozy with promise of rain,
Home by fire reading.

Broken Dishwasher Strengthens Marriage

Our dishwasher is broken. It has been broken for several weeks. We now hand wash the dishes. Sometimes that is a time demand that is tough to keep up during our busy days. We are unable to replace the dishwasher at this time due to other priorities and the need to research a new one, with the hope of getting a reliable one.

For much of our marriage the rule is whoever cooks does the clean-up. That has been practical because of our cooking styles. Glen cleans up as he goes. I love to spread my cooking mess around the kitchen like a junk yard of culinary fun. So, naturally, Glen prefers that I clean up after my cooking adventures.

Last night, Glen and I did the dishes together. He washed and I dried and put away. This old fashioned activity got us up off the evening couch, postponed our TV vegetative states, and took us away from our laptops. The laptops have been known to consume the evenings, since we both work and play on our computers, side by side, as the night slips away.

I have to confess that time spent side by side doing the dishes provided a time to unwind together, accomplish a goal with immediate reward, and a venue for light-hearted, random conversation. It was fun. I really enjoyed it.

I hope we do more dish washing together. It was just such a simple way to enjoy time together, like a leisurely ride in the car. Plus, the cook gets out of the kitchen faster when two tackle the dishes.

So, in this day and age of so many "conveniences," do we lose that easy going time together that inconveniences provide? That are a path to slowing down and sharing life in conversation? In addition, we stopped eating out as often several years ago. I discovered how we each enjoy the creative process of taking time to collect and combine various food ingredients into a rewarding (usually) evening meal, less expensive and usually healthier in portions and nutrition! Back to the simpler way of living step-by-step. We also clean our home on our own now, due to budget cuts. That is relaxing and rewarding, too. At least for us. And it involves a bit of physical activity, which is always good. Big, yet subtle, benefits. Finding time is still the challenge, but the benefits are nice. Am I crazy?

"A & A" E-mails (Alarm & Alert)...Groan!

I have recently thought more about these “A&A” e-mails...”Alarm & Alert” that I get from time to time, usually forwarded. I realize that I can give little to no attention to them. I don’t have the time, energy, or priority space to dig deeper to find out truth and separate bias and then truly influence an outcome. I must devote my days to things that I can impact and want to give heart energy and head space to — things that God has called me to devote my life to in serving Him.

There is so much information available to us through e-mail that we each need to determine how to manage it. And this is my plan. I must each figure out how to avoid the distractions of electronic information, in an effort to focus on what is before me that truly needs my attention. At my 80th birthday party, when I look back on my life, will I think figuring out a right response to these types of e-mails made a difference? Of course, not! If I gave the time to studying God’s word instead, wouldn’t that be time better spent? Or sharing a cup of coffee to catch up with a neighbor? Or bowing in prayer for the leaders of my church and nation? Here is a good filter from Stephen Covey:

Circle of Concern - Circle of Influence
From The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Determine what you can do instead of worry over what you have no control over.
Circle of Concerns - all those worries
Circle of Influence - from those worries, select things you can actually do something about. Be pro-active and get going! This will decrease the list of worries.

"Covey distinguishes between the have's ('If only I had...') and the be's ('I can be...'). Focusing on what you don't like is disempowering. Focusing on what you can do is proactive and empowering. 'Be part of the solution,' Covey suggests, 'not part of the problem.'"

[Comments from Mary R. Bast, PhD]

And the rest...learn to let it go and trust God. So, I will be deleting "A & A" e-mails and moving on.

Liberal or Conservative Quiz

I just took a quiz online to see if I'm liberal or conservative on political issues. It was interesting. I tested "liberal." I am not surprised. I'm beginning to relax about the label. The label can cause negative reactions from people I call friends and loved ones. Hopefully, they've taken the time to hear my perspective and to understand it, even though we may not agree. To begin with, I determine my opinions by using my world view based in following Christ and what I know of him through Scripture and other wise followers. This is probably very similar to how conservatives form their opinions, interestingly enough. After starting there, I then reflect on my experience with real people in real situations and I study different social, economic, and political issues. I am conservative with Scripture. Liberal is not a bad thing to be.

Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999
lib·er·al (adj)

1. tolerant of different views and standards of behavior in others
2. favoring gradual reform, especially political reforms that extend democracy, distribute wealth more evenly, and protect the personal freedom of the individual
3. generous with money, time, or some other asset
4. not limited to the literal meaning in translation or interpretation
5. concerned with general cultural matters and broadening of the mind rather than professional or technical study
6. relating to a political ideology of liberalism
   

Elusive Contentment & Words of Whoa!

If complaints were laden with calories, would you be overweight? If comments that build up a brother or sister -- any person created in God's image burned calories, would you be lean? I'm all for discernment, wisdom, and good judgement, and even critical thinking and solid reasoning. I acknowledge we are all on a journey. Yet I need to work on my responses to events and choices others make. I want to be a more thoughtful and understanding person. So often I may jump to conclusions, criticizing a complete stranger or someone well known without knowing the full story and without stopping to realize this person is of value to God the father and I don't know how God is working in that moment. As Andy Marin, author of Love is an Orientation, wisely shared, "God is at work in a person's life. We do not know when that starts or where it will end." I need to remember this and stay open to God's work hidden or visible to me, and learn to love with my words and deeds. This reflection was prompted by listening to people respond to the ingauguration ceremony and the prayers and the poem and the fashion for the ball. Here we go!

Inauguration Impressions

• Peaceful transfer of power - this is a big deal in and of itself in today's world
  
• The sea of people crested in waves of American flags in joyful patient assembly
• Rick Warren's prayer: "You are loving to everyone you have made...hinge point of history...our first African American president...grateful to live in a land...give to our new president the wisdom to lead us with humility...bless and protect...united not by race, religion, or blood but by our commitment to freedom and justice for all....to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all...to work for a more just, healthy,...peaceful planet....
• "Simple Gifts" played eloquently
  
• A speech to be read in review as soon as it is published on the web
• Silence of my friends who fear his leadership and doubt his authenticity
• Praise song reading
• A benediction..."God of our weary years...silent tears...who brought us along thus far...we give thanks and pray for you blessing upon your servant, his family, and his adminsitration....mend our brokenness, heal our wounds, and end us from exploiting the poor...." [worth reading once it is on the web]
• And hooray! It's a new day in America.
  

A New Song for a New Day

http://dipdive.com/

MLK Day & GOBAMA!

The words and ideals of Martin Luther King, Jr. inspire me and continue to challenge my heart. I honor his legacy and courage today.

The inauguration of the 44th President has been significant for me. Maybe it's because it feels to me like he is a common man, not from a wealthy political family, that connects for me. Maybe it's because he moved to Chicago, as did I, after college and still love Chicago to this day. Maybe it is because I'm a fan of Michelle and think the girls are sweet. I won't go into more detail here and now on why I am so engaged in the new day with new leadership and responding to the call to participate in the "we" of "Yes, we can." It has been stirring and tomorrow, Inauguration Ceremony and other festivities, will be a highlight. I pray for the health and safety of the family, along with God's wisdom and grace in days to come.

So, no more fat and critical. I'll work to be fit and hopeful so I can keep up with the work ahead for all of us, living in a way that honors God and helps me learn to love my neighbor making life for others more meaningful through values that unite these states.

Birth Order

I once spoke to an author of a book on birth order and how that impacts our development as people. At that time, I thought I was first born. I realized recently that I am in fact second born. My older sister did not survive and I don't know her yet, but hope to meet her one day in Heaven. So, does that make me second born with first born expectations? I've always felt I didn't have exactly the qualities of first borns. Maybe this is part of it. How much weight do we put in all that anyway? It is interesting, but I won't lose sleep over it.
Something that is more interesting to me is my younger brother. Second born or third? Who knows how those things go? What I do know is that he and I are friends now and that is a recent development over the past couple years. I'm really enjoying having a sibling friend. I guess I was kind of an only child for about 10 years while my brother had split from the family. He is such a blessing to the family now and has been so kind to our aging parents in Ohio. I am grateful. Ric is pictured below.



Now, think about this. My husband is first born, and if I have the first born role, experts say two first borns should never marry. Well, I'm so glad we did. It is fun. [Top photo is Glen, my husband, and I]

Welcome 2009!

I am glad to greet the new year. I have some things to look forward to doing. I'm grateful to God for his guidance and for each new day he gives. Although I had (have) a cold over my winter break (Christmas vacation), I enjoyed time with loved ones -- family and friends. I enjoyed our home, even though decorations were minimal this year. Most of all, I enjoyed sharing life with my very cool husband, who is making popcorn as I write. I just felt so grateful for all the good in the times at hand.

Announcement #1

I read Luke 1:1-25 today. It is Christmas, so naturally I love reading those related passages in Scripture. So here is how it goes down...

Zechariah is at work. An angel named Gabriel appears at his job site. Zechariah feels fear. So, the fear thing at seeing an angel. Isn't that so human?!! I can relate to that response. The angel addresses that fear with "Don't be afraid." That's good. Would I snap out of it that easily?

Anyway, the angel goes on to say "For God has heard your prayer and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son!" Were there other wives? OK. Not the point. The prayer may be referenced in v. 25. So the angel goes on with the specifics: call him John, no wine because he'll be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth, and his work will be to turn people to the Lord.*

Zechariah listens to the "good news" and questions immediately. Oh, so human! The part where we all flee to the facts in the face of faith..."How can I know this will happen? I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years." And then the angel silenced him for a few months. So there.

Then he goes outside where the people have been waiting for him. And he can't speak. "They then realized from his gestures that he must have seen a vision." Now picture that! There's a round of Charades not to be missed. I can just imagine that non-verbal communication.

I can also relate to God answering my prayer and me being surprised or questioning. Oh, brother. Humans!

Anyway, God is amazing.

*I'm curious to think more about why "no wine or hard liquor" is connected with being filled with the Spirit. I am also curious about the concept of "turn" people to the Lord. When I turn, I change my direction, my focus, my view. That sounds nice and an invitation to something else. It doesn't sound like that's a condemnation.

The Purpose of Christmas, A Book

I have recently noticed a new book by Rick Warren, called The Purpose of Christmas. Here is some information I read on the web about it that made me more curious to read it. I haven't heard anyone mention this title yet. I just don't want another cliche Christmas book. I have so much respect for Rick Warren, so I'm interested in what the book might say, but haven't bought it to read. I was also moved to see what the proceeds will go to fund and my heart also aches for the five issues mentioned below in the last section. If you have read the book, let me know.

From a web article:

Rick Warren: “This book, The Purpose of Christmas, is the most clear definition of Christianity – of what it means to follow Jesus, what it means to be saved – of anything I’ve ever written,” Warren says.

Using Christmas, the book explains why Jesus Christ came to earth – which Warren says can be summed up through the three statements given by the angels that appeared at the first Christmas.

“First, he (the angel) said ‘I bring you good news of great joy.’ It’s a time for celebration,” explains Warren. “And then he says, ‘for on this day is born to you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.’ It’s a time for salvation. And then he says ‘Peace on earth; goodwill toward men.’ It’s a time for reconciliation."

“Jesus Christ came to the earth for celebration, salvation, and reconciliation,” Warren says. “In other words, to make peace with God, to make peace with ourselves, to make peace with other people.”

Like the book, all net proceeds of the CD will go to benefit Saddleback Church's PEACE Plan – a global initiative created by Warren to mobilize millions of Christians in the fight against the five global giants of spiritual emptiness, self-centered leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic disease and illiteracy/education.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20081107/rick-warren-releases-new-book-star-studded-christmas-cd.htm

Favorite Flavors

I love Christmas time for many reasons. Simple, playful, and deeply meaningful reasons and everything in-between. I have two favorite flavors that dominate this season. Peppermint and eggnog -- not together, however. Peppermint ice cream, Starbuck's Peppermint Mocha holiday beverage, peppermint tea, peppermint milkshakes (introduced to me by my mother-in-law), peppermint bark -- it's all good. In moderation, of course. And then eggnog. Eggnog ice cream, Starbuck's Eggnog Latte holiday beverage, and a frothy cup of good old eggnog. I think I'll make eggnog milkshakes this year for something new to me. Growing up, my family would sit quietly at the end of the day on Christmas Eve, near the lovely decorated tree, still empty beneath, and sip a traditional cup of eggnog from little demitasse cups used only for this occasion, while we paused to be still at the apex of Christmas excitement for children. I remember that with fondness. Oh, and by the way, my eggnog enjoyment does not involve brandy or rum, just the creamy, thick, richness of the glug-glugging eggnog plain.