Sen. Heath: Celebrating Mothers

Dear editor:

May is a month full of holidays; Memorial Day, the National Day of Prayer and that one special day set aside to acknowledge the strong and resilient leaders behind our families - mothers. This year’s celebration will take place on Sunday, May 12 so don’t forget to mark your calendars!

Whether your mother is biological or adoptive, in-state or far away, I encourage you to take a moment to honor your mother for your upbringing and applaud her for getting through your teenage years. As we all know, each of us had our moments.

Mothers are role models – they teach, inspire, nurture and instill identity. Mothers are there from day one; they wipe our tears when we cry and clean our wounds when we fall. They are the ones who are there for us when we feel as though the world has turned its back on us and no one is on our side. A mother is always there to support us.

It is also important to recognize others in our lives who have served in a mother’s role such as an aunt, grandmother, foster parent or caretaker. Unfortunately, some people have experienced the loss of their mother at an early age but are lucky enough to have a caring family member fulfill this important role.

As a mother, children listen and value your every word. Nancy Lincoln, the mother to one of our finest leaders, Abraham Lincoln, was an incredible role model to her son. Neighbors reported that Nancy was an immovable source of strength for her husband, a strong personality that taught young Abraham the alphabet as well as the extraordinary sweetness and forbearance he was known for all his life. The love and modesty she instilled in him as a child went on to produce a president who abolished slavery and unified our country after a bitter Civil War.

I am thankful to have been raised by a loving, nurturing mother. As a child I never knew the struggles my mother endured on behalf of my sisters and me.  She and my father both worked long hours and after everyone got home, often 9 or 10 in the evening, she would prepare a hot meal for us, get us all bathed, ensure that our homework was completed for the next school day and that we had clean, pressed clothes to wear. To this day, she still displays those motherly traits and is sensitive to the wants of her children. I have to attribute much of my success to the principles and lessons that my mother instilled in us as children.

Without a mother’s influence, many children grow up without a strong sense of belonging because no one else can provide a tender-loving touch quite like a mom. The support and care provided by mothers builds self-confidence and security in children as they grow into adulthood.

If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to buy your mom that perfect gift that says “thank you” for all she does, make reservations at her favorite restaurant or write a handwritten note of gratitude. Most of all, take time this Mother’s Day to tell this special woman how much you love her.

Sen. Bill Heath, R-Bremen

Sen. Bill Heath serves as Chairman of the Government Oversight Committee. He represents the 31st Senate District which consists of Haralson and Polk counties and portions of Paulding County.  He may be reached at 404-656-3943 or by email at billheath@billheath.net.