I have never been so touched by a display of respect I observed while driving on the freeway one day. Several motorcycle police had stopped all oncoming traffic on the freeway. I wondered if there had been an accident as fire engines were lined up on the overpass just ahead. Firemen were standing at attention on top of their trucks. A large American flag had been lifted in the air by a huge crane. Continuing on I soon noticed additional fire engines on the next upcoming overpass and then the next overpass as well. How touched I was when I saw on the empty freeway a caravan of fire engines escorting a white hearse followed by the funeral party with their lights on. I assumed it was the body of the fallen fireman who had lost his life in recent, devastating fires who was now being honored as he traveled home towards his final resting place. I was in awe of the respect and honor shown to one of their own who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of others. I was humbled by the reverence and respect displayed by police and fire personnel providing an open freeway while standing reverently at attention as he passed.
What does this have to do with motherhood you may be asking? It has everything to do with motherhood. Someone taught these men while they were young… respect for others, work ethics, to be service oriented, to go the extra mile, to not be afraid and to put others above self. These police and firemen who serve us all had mothers who taught their sons and daughters these attributes. I pondered how no child would ever be emotionally scarred or burdened by being told frequently how great he/she is or how much he/she is loved or how much he/she could affect the world for good.
When such a tragedy happens it makes us stop and think about what is most important in life. As for me I came home and called my children and told them how much I loved them and how wonderful it is to be their mother. Life is just too short to show anything but love, respect and concern for all those around us. Our homes should be a place where reverence abounds, service is taught, gratitude is expressed and respect for others is the norm. In witnessing truly happy homes I find family members grateful for what they have and desiring to help others with whom they come in contact. A genuine respect for others is shown and shared.
Another great example of a different kind of respect happened the other night when we attended a dinner. At our table sat a Catholic priest, three Rabbis, three Muslims! This made for interesting dinner conversation topics! What did we have in common? The answer is simple… a genuine respect for each other, respect for differing beliefs and a willingness to talk and listen, void of judgment. What a wonderful night we shared together as we laughed, compared, conversed and discovered our similarities. We enjoyed each other for who we are rather than who we thought each other should be!
Respect for others is in short supply, causing contentions and disagreements. We can make a difference, maybe not in the big wide world but in the world that we have control over… our homes and our communities. It is in our homes where the basic attitudes of life and character are taught. "Good homes are still the best source of good humans." Neal A. Maxwell.
Contributed by Bev California, Mother of the Year 2012
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