Another "Mother's Day" is coming soon. Those mothers of my
"baby boomer" generation stand tall above the rest. They
parented by grit and patterned their ways as they were raised
by their own mothers. They did not have the added comfort of
the parenting books, television and radio programs that later
generations were so lucky to have. They developed our character
with roots.
The roots of character; those who preserve their integrity,
remain unshaken by the storms of daily life. They do not stir
like leaves on a tree or follow the herd where it runs. In
their minds remain the ideal attitude and conduct of living.
This is not something given to them by others. It is their
roots. It is a strength that exists deep within them.
The best feeling in this world is family. From it we draw love,
friendship, moral support, and the fulfillment of all our
special needs.
No parent can be more proud of his children than I am of mine.
Their accomplishments are the type a father uses as bragging
material and can carry like a trophy. More importantly, I make
a point of telling them occasionally. I learned to do that
early in their adulthood because TV, books, and so on, reminded
us to do it. My generation was lucky like that.
I developed a positive attitude: the jar is always half full. A
trait that was instrumental in beating cancer. I say "I love
you" a lot to my family, because it was a learned trait my wife
instilled in me.
There is a certain pride, on my part, that my mother raised 12
children without the aid from these books and programs we had
to raise our own children today. All my siblings are doing well
for themselves. Throughout our lives we've had our mountains to
climb, and we will have more, I'm sure. To further compliment
her family, the most profound words I've heard my mother speak;
" If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change a
thing".  How many of us can say that?
I left home, early in life, with a grade 10 education and the
dreams of youth that only experience could make or break. My
time with my mother was short. My focus was on leaving home and
making my own way. Another woman entered my life and was to
spend more time with me than I had with my own mother. She
nurtured my roots. She is still with me today: the mother of my
children.
Those "silver haired" ladies, of the boomer years, deserve
recognition for raising children in an era that has been the
fastest moving generation of time. They are, truly, the golden
girls of the century. Today my mother is recovering in a
hospital. Cancer has not been ruled out, yet. If I were near
enough I would spend the day with her and tell her how much her
efforts have meant to my life. Cards are important to her and
she is proud when there are twelve on her dresser.
My Mother's Day card will say "Happy Mother's Day Mom and
Thanks for the Roots". To my wife I say "Thanks for
strengthening those roots".
Kevin Shanahan is a Hanmer resident who shares his experiences as a cancer survivor.
