Mother's Day or Mothers Day??

Tonight, on our local news, they closed the broadcast with a picture of this swan and her babies. They told a little story about how the swan had found a home at a local pond, had made friends with the locals, and how the swan family made everyone feel so warm inside to know she had safely seen her babies into this world and now delights in swimming with them in the pond. They concluded the story with a tie-in to Mother's Day and wished all the Mothers in the viewing area - swans included - a happy Mother's Day.

Nice story! Unless you live in our subdivision. Like in the news story, we also have ponds. Instead of swans, however, we have ducks. This Spring, one of the ducks laid eggs. Lots of them!!! Funny thing, though, she didn't lay her eggs anywhere near the pond. Nope. This duck laid them in the middle of the road, so to speak. The entrance to our neighborhood had a median that divides the north traffic from the south traffic. The median is a rather lush area decorated with trees and flowers. This is where our neighborhood duck laid her eggs. People entering or exiting the subdivision would slow down to get a look at mother duck and her silent brood. Some people went overboard. They brought the Momma bowls of water. They even brought her salad! Then, someone put up a sign to remind the yardmen not to disturb the Momma's nest. The whole neighborhood waited for the pitter-pat of little webbed feet. But sadly, it was not to be. One day, the eggs were gone. The ducks were gone. No explanation...just gone.

I write this to remind us all that Mother's Day means different things to different people. Some Mothers today will be forgotten. Today will be a sad day for them as they wait, hoping to hear from a son or a daughter, but the call or card never happens.

For others. they think of the babies that would have/could have made them a Mother. They think of the baby that they gave up for adoption. They think of the baby that they lost due to miscarriage. They think of the baby that they aborted. To these women, Mother's Day means a whole lot more that what a Hallmark card can begin to express.

We all know mothers like Mrs. Swan. But I hope that today we don't forget about Mrs. Duck...the mother that waited patiently, did all the right things, but never got to swim in the pond with her babies.