Rural Route 2: Here's to moms

Growing up, I thought my siblings and I were ‘gifting’ my mom by planning memorable Mother’s Day occasions. As I’ve reflected, however, it was Mom who actually made the occasions memorable.

We celebrated Mother’s Day by going to church as a family (as we did every weekend). But it was Mom who ensured we had clean clothes for said church gatherings. Mom and Dad also taught Sunday school for 25 years, so her day, in part, was also spent teaching others.

Handmade cards were often Mom’s gift for Mother’s Day. But Mom smiled brightly as she opened her cards. Mom’s the keeper of moments and memories; of hospital bracelets and smudged art. Of playdates with friends and rock collections.

Mom insisted on sharing meals at home on Mother’s Day, noting the women who prepare and serve meals in restaurants ought to have the day off, too. As a mom now, it’s humorous thinking about a day off. There’s a day off of work, but is there really ever a day off from the day-to-day housekeeping with kids in the house? Eating meals at home meant that Dad fired up the grill while my siblings attempted to help make the rest of the meal. But again, it was Mom who procured the groceries, ensured there were fruits and vegetables on the table and washed the dishes.

If crops were still being planted, Dad would head to the fields (with a meal my mom packed).

Mom provided the transportation between fields and was the parts gofer.

On a rare Mother’s Day Sunday, when the crops were planted (or it was rainy), we would scout out the local greenhouses for flowers to plant. But it was Mom who prepared the pots and weeded and watered the flowers throughout the summer when we lost interest in the endeavor.

Mom left her childhood home in an urban area of Ohio and moved nine hours north and west to marry my dad. She left the familiar shop her family kept for the farms and fields that were unfamiliar. She quickly became a partner on the farm, working with Dad in the fields and caring for the chickens, cows, rabbits, pigs, sheep and the two goats (who were escape artists).

It wasn’t until I became a mom that I fully appreciated all of the other things that Mom did (and still does) on the farm. She’s a mom to five, but her devotion to her family goes beyond the walls of our childhood home.

Here’s to moms — especially mine — this Mother’s Day. I hope your day is memorable for all the right reasons. And if you haven’t heard it lately, thanks for all you do.

Editor’s Note by Bethany Baratta, bbaratta@iasoybeans.com