The Hardware Man - Ma, Mom, Momma, Mother's Day
- Editor
- May 3
- 3 min read
Howdy Folks.
April showers bring May Flowers. What do May Flowers bring? Pilgrims!
Enough of the Dad jokes. It’s Mother’s Day, so we divert our focus from all that we have going on to consider who helped us get to this place.
Mom, Mother, Momma, Ma – all names that are interchangeable to address our first favorite person. The first syllables my boys vocalized, followed by Dada and Ball. The word that any mom will respond to in a crowded space as their child calls for their attention. Mom! The call for help as one is hurt and needing first aid. “Yes, Mother” – the sarcastic response the teenager responds to another overbearing request for a household chore to be done.
Ah, the travesty of household chores. To an impudent child, it’s seemingly the one and only reason we have kids. Just so they can do the work we never want to, in the effort of teaching them character. Garbage duty, pet care and cleaning the bathroom! That will teach them not to miss! And it did.
I am the third of four boys in our family, and my mom made sure to teach us every aspect of caring for a home. We learned how to work efficiently with laundry, cleaning and baking. We suffered sunburn as we pulled weeds in the garden, picked berries, snapped green beans or shucked corn for freezing or canning. We mowed the grass and washed windows and cars. We learned how to paint and how to repair damage we made rough housing. We were taught the basics of sewing, threading a needle and repairing a button or mending a split seam. All skills to make us a good husband for someone, someday.
We were taught manners and protocol, both for everyday life and life’s finer occasions. Civics and respect for our country, others and authority, as well as how to act like men in professional environments. Handshakes, eye contact and the importance of honoring your word. Mom took hours of the day during summers to instruct us in the ways of God, to help us understand the why’s of the Bible and to pray with us.
For all the work we had, the memories we made as a family were equal or more. After devotions and chores, we had the afternoons enjoy. Biking, baseball and basketball were all free activities we could do as Mom would take us wherever our group of friends were. Family dinner was a staple, sharing a simple meal with everyone, discussing the events of the day. Leftovers on Monday, Spaghetti on Wednesday and Pizza on Saturdays were regular menus. Mom is an accomplished pianist and vocalist and gave us a love of making music and four-part harmony.
Life wasn’t all sunshine and roses. We had our normal struggles as a family. Mom fought cancer for several years when we were young, but God was good to help her recover. Our adventures as children and teenagers sometimes ended up in the Emergency Room or in the bedroom for discipline, but Mom’s love continued to support and guide us.
Even now, it’s a treat to visit during the day, when after mowing her grass, we grab a soda from the fridge and catch up on life. I am thankful that after another heath issue last year, she is still with us and back to normal. Most of all, I am thankful she continues to pray for me.
Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise, and call her blessed.
Daniel Karns and his wife own Clintonville Hardware & Rental along with other businesses. Join the discussion by contacting him at info@clintonvillehardware.com.
