Many mothers..

I had a professor in college who said he sent a bouquet of flowers each mother's day to his mother, grandmother, each of his sisters and each of his daughters. That's a lot of flowers! Although I've never done this, I do stop and think about the different mothers that I am grateful for on Mother's Day.

My own mother was brave enough to bring seven children into this world. Although I'm sure she thought the hard parts were done when the last left home, I think she is realizing that a mother's concern and worry for her children lasts a lifetime.

My maternal grandmother has passed on, but she was one of my greatest role models as a child, and my life will always be better because of her example and impact she had on my life. I always wanted to make her proud. My paternal grandmother is the last of my grandparents still living. She has a different way of showing love than my mother's side of the family, but I've got at least 20 pounds of fat on my body carried from my childhood until now that represent the bowls of ice cream I enjoyed at her house every week of my pre-adulthood life (and she always gave me extra).

Then there is my wife. One of the first times I realized I was attracted to her was a few weeks after we met and we were at a park. She started playing with some children that were having fun on the swings, and I have admired her ability to connect with children ever since. Both as the mother of our children and as my best friend and companion, I can never be grateful enough for the ways knowing her and being with her have changed my life.

And then there are the various women in the neighborhoods, church congregations, schools and communities in which we have lived who have made such a difference on my life growing up as well as that of my children. They may not think twice about it, but I will always be grateful for the ways they have protected, nurtured, and taught my children...something that no parents can ever do adequately alone. These are the many mothers of the community that every child needs.

So, this Mother's Day, I hope all the good women of the world are given a break from the daily grind and able to enjoy a day of being honored, served and loved.

Here are a few Mother's Day songs we produced from Musical Greetings, ranging in style from reflective to country to barbershop-style harmony. Hope your Mother's Day is great!

1) Mothers



Title: Mothers (condensed version)
Music: Wayne Penrod
Lyrics: Tim Penrod
Vocals: Tim Penrod (please excuse the shaky vocals!!!)
Copyright (c) 2000. Tim Penrod. All rights reserved.

2) I was no easy thing


Title: I was no easy thing
Music: Tim Penrod
Lyrics: Tim Penrod
Vocals: Laurie Hansen

Lyrics:
I was born on the day of your greatest pain
And I know that since then, I was no easy thing
But you stuck by my side
Through my trouble and my pride
And you've always been the one
The one constant thing

So, here's a happy day
For the one who never tired
Who was there through hard times all along
And the happy memories
Are the north star guiding me
You're the only one 'could be
And you'll always be for me
And your title, lovingly, is 'Mom'

3) Happy Mother's Day


Title: Happy Mother's Day
Music: Wayne Penrod
Lyrics: Tim Penrod
Vocals: Tim Penrod
Copyright (c) 2000. Tim Penrod. All rights reserved.

And from previous posts:

4) Mother, Mother I Love You (sung by 4 year-old Spencer)

5) Happy Mother's Day to the One that I Love (written and sung by 3 year-old Spencer)