The Pittsburgh Press (May 8, 1941)
MOTHER’S DAY
By Mrs. Walter Ferguson
The oldest son of my husband remembers me on Mother’s Day with an original verse which he illustrates with atrocious but clever cartoons. The 1941 contribution goes this way:
With your nose in a book
And a child running wild
You write and you speak
In a way far from mild.
I can seldom agree
And, in fact, I reject
Your speeches and writings
As always correct.
You’re not so impressive
Except in one way –
For it’s as a Mother
You’re really okay!
You’ve guessed it. This flattery is unction to my soul. I know well that I’ve made thousands of mistakes in bringing up my children. Sins of commission and omission are piled up against me. Like other women, I have floundered in seas of doubt and I realize many times over my innumerable blunders.
But fortunately our offsprings are willing to take us as we are. They forgive us our transgressions and love us in spite of our faults and failings. And that, I think, is the very nicest thing about children: they are wiser than Society, and it seems to me they like us better when we deviate from the traditional concept of “good mothers.”
There is something dull and stodgy about that concept. It may suit dead women, but it doesn’t satisfy the living. For living families want laughter and gaiety and the human attributes of quick anger and sudden forgiveness in their mothers. A sense of humor always stands us in better stead than a sense of piety.
The children give us ungrudging respect when we are worthy of it, but no pose gets by their honesty and good sense.
Anyway, there’s this to remember, and if it sounds sentimental, you can skip it: The fan mail is deeply satisfying. There are moments when the job seems the blessedest thing. Friendship is good and enriches the days. But at night, when the lights are out and one lingers between sleep and waking, at the moment when perceptions are keenest, then the truth is clear.
The best of all possible compliments, and the dearest of life’s awards, are contained in the words:
For it’s as a Mother, you’re really okay!