Mothers' Day and graduation -- inextricably linked in the calendar and memory.
As we watch our babies graduate -- leave behind childhood -- and commence into adulthood, we contemplate the former 18 years. For the mother of a newborn or a busy toddler, it's difficult to see tomorrow through sleep-deprived eyes, much less consider high school, or college, graduation. But, for the mother of the graduate, those days are as yesterday and the time has gone by far too quickly.
This year, our family welcomed another grandson just days before Mothers' Day.
Then, my eldest son returned from college to spend a few months with us before leaving for Army National Guard basic.
It seems that he should be that little seven-pound baby.
It's been heartwarming to watch him, now a young man, interact with his younger brothers and older brothers-in-law, as well as with his sisters and niece and nephews. It is good to see him recognize some of the folly of his youth and chose maturity. It brings a sense of patience to realize that I can't "fix" everything, but can pray and watch and wait.
I found his first shoes -- little white leather oxfords -- and took them to my daughter for the baby. Ironically, I placed those little shoes next to the pair he wears now and was amazed at the contrast. It seems like just yesterday that he was wearing those little shoes and being carried.
One year, we spent Mothers' Day at college graduation as my eldest daughter graduated from College of the Ozarks. Seven of our children have graduated from high school, the first four from Lighthouse Academy, our family's home school, and the next three from Pea Ridge High School. Three have graduated from college -- C of O, University of Arkansas and NorthWest Arkansas Community College. There are two still at home.
The more we experience (i.e. the longer we live), the more we recognize that both joy and sorrow, good and bad, are intermingled. With graduation, we experience the joy of seeing young people progress to the next level as we feel sorrow for the loss of childhood.
"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, training them up in God's fear, minding the house, and making your household a church for God as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of Hosts," Charles Spurgeon said.
Graduation isn't the end, it's just the beginning. Mothers, enjoy the new role as the mother of an adult.
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Editor's note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County,.
General News on 05/14/2014