Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend May 9, 2006 Share your Mother's Day love Xq Imagine this: You're sitting in a room full of people attending a lecture. The presenter is a Stanford University professor who has a doctoral degree in public health and an international reputation. She's talking about her research on individual and family health. Someone in the back of the room asks a question. It's long and rambling and involves the challenges of relating to and caring for an elderly, ailing mother. The response comes in a matter-of-fact manner and without hesitation: "Find another mother." There's a collective gasp in the room. I was there, I know. For a few moments, the entire audience sits in disquieting silence. But the response makes perfect sense. Think about it. Think about the possibility of trading mothers for a while. Perhaps you could give some of your caregiving challenges to another person and, temporarily, assume theirs. You might identify a friend or neighbor who has an ailing mother and switch circumstances for a few days or weeks. The concept offers an admittedly unique respite of sorts as well as an opportunity for a fresh perspective on caregiving obligations. The idea of "finding another mother" has stayed with me. Have you ever heard the phrase, "There's no reason to have the same thought more than once, unless you really like that thought"? I really like this thought. Let me explain. Mother's Day is upon us, quite close, actually. There might be other versions of this "find another mother" concept. Here's the plan; at least here's what I intend to do. If you have followed my life as I share it in this column, you know that my own mother bless her sweet soul died almost two years ago. It doesn't seem that long ago, but it is. And my godmother-aunt died a few months ago. I miss them, especially so at this time of year. Oh, I have kids who will always need mothering and a spouse who requires his fair share bless them all. But I have an excessive amount overflowing, actually of motherly inclination. I need to have it in play somewhere. What better time than on Mother's Day? Advertisement So I'm going to search out and find a new mother — several, in fact. I feel sure there are motherless daughters or daughterless mothers who would delight in receiving a little more attention on Mother's Day. I'm focused on sort-of-sad aging women whose own mothers and husbands, sometimes even their children, are long deceased. My goal is to make them smile. First I'm going to finish reading a book titled "Old and on Their Own" by Robert Cole. It talks about the enforced passivity that many elderly women experience and explains how to approach a mission like mine. Then I'm going to bake lots of little lemon pound cakes my own mom's favorite for delivery at my whim. I have already purchased a lovely assortment of Hallmark greeting cards. Yes, I think I may be just about ready to tend to my mothers for a day. Like the idea? Feel free to use it, or develop your own version. Make them smile. Sharon Johnson is an assistant professor in family and community development at OSU Extension and a member of the Senior Advisory Council. E-mail her at [email protected] or call 776-7371, Ext. 210. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s Advertisement