| The great playwright George Bernard Shaw | | | | and advantages, or handicaps and vulnerabilities, |
| observed: "Perhaps the greatest social service | | | | that predispose him to success or failure, to |
| that can be rendered by anybody to the country | | | | happiness or unhappiness." Hans Selye, a well |
| and to mankind is to bring up a family." I recently | | | | known doctor who devoted a lifetime to research |
| attended an excellent kindergarten program at | | | | on stress and coping was asked "can you isolate |
| the Lee County Primary School in Leesburg, | | | | any single factor that determines what a person |
| Georgia. I was impressed by the number of | | | | becomes?' Without hesitation he replied, 'His |
| mothers who attended to see their child perform. | | | | mother.' |
| Considerfor a moment the impact of mothers on | | | | Mothers deserve our support. Mothers deserve |
| education. How are children best trained to be | | | | the highest consideration from society. David O |
| responsible, mature, contributing adults? There is | | | | McKay, prophet and leader of The Church of |
| no question that a mother molds the child- | | | | Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints observed: "The |
| whocomforts a sick child, who wipes away the | | | | noblest calling in the world isthat of mother. True |
| tears, who gives so very much, but asks so very | | | | motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, |
| little. | | | | thegreatest of all professions. She who can paint |
| A mother is a child's first teacher. According to | | | | a masterpiece or who can write a book that will |
| Sidney lesson, author of RAISINGA BRIGHTER | | | | influence millions deserves the plaudits and |
| CHILD observed: "Whenever the question of | | | | admiration of mankind; but she who rears |
| educating children is raised, thoughts usually turn | | | | successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and |
| to school and to schoolteachers. But mothers are, | | | | daughters whose immortal souls will be exerting |
| and have always been, their children's first and | | | | an influence throughout the ages long after |
| most important teacher. What mothers teach, or | | | | painting shall have faded, and books and statues |
| fail to teach, intentionally or unintentionally, | | | | shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest |
| profoundly influences their children's entire lives. | | | | honor that man can give." |
| Home is, in a practical sense, currently and | | | | In an age when mothers are devalued they |
| traditionally, a child's first school. Here, a child's | | | | deserve even more of our praise, support and |
| learning pattern is established; here the seed is | | | | thanks. Mothers should be remembered and |
| planted, or not, for advanced education. And here | | | | honored not only on Mother's Day but every day |
| each child acquires an assortment of strengths | | | | of the year. |