A Mother's Touch

LOC: Sunday dinner, 1930.

 

 

Many years ago, after my fourth cesarean, I was in tremendous pain. It took me several weeks to recover. Once I started to feel better, I went back to doing what I love best - cleaning, organizing and making a home.

At that time, we lived in a beautiful three story house on the ocean (in Massachusetts). This house was over 100 years old and very elegant. There was a formal dining room with a chandelier and antiques. (We were temporarily renting this house from an elderly couple.) I went in that room first and started to tidy and polish and clean. I set out flowers and place settings on the table. The room looked beautiful. I dimmed the lights, lit a candle and then went in the kitchen to make a special meal. My husband (who was home recovering from a car accident) came into the room. He saw what I had done, and with a sigh of relief and gratefulness, he said quietly... "I got my wife back."

There was a time when I didn't really care about Mother's day or Valentines day. But as time went on and my children began to grow up, all of a sudden I needed those days. The children get so caught up in their own lives, they don't take the time to show appreciation to their mother. So I had to make these days special. A couple of years ago, I invited my older ones home. Here is what I did:

1. I got all dressed up in fancy clothes.

2. We went to church that morning.

3. When we got home, I got right to work on lunch. I laid out refreshments on the table - cheddar cheese, veggies, crackers.

4. I made mashed potatoes, homemade biscuits, BBQ meatloaf, peas, salad and lasagna.

5. There were brownies and ice cream for desert.

6. The table was set in an elegant way.

My girls came with flowers and gifts for me.  It was such a special day. All the children gave me precious little gifts. My husband gave me flowers too. But what made the day so wonderful is that I worked so hard to make it great. I made a big meal and smiled and laughed and created a precious day for all of them. It wasn't about the flowers or gifts, it was about the wonderful tradition of home and family and food. It was about having a reason or excuse to celebrate.

This is a Mother's touch... This is what makes a home...

Yesterday I walked up to my dear husband and said, "Baby?"..... "If I give you some money, will you buy me flowers and chocolate on your way home from work?" He smiled and agreed. I was delighted. I thought he would buy me a small box of Whitman's Sampler for $1.00. That's what I suggested. I also thought he would get me some simple carnations for a few dollars. But when he came home, He was so happy to see me. He handed me a dozen roses and a large box of chocolates. What a delight! We went right to work polishing the table and putting the roses into vases. I put on my "homemaking" music (Classical - Canon in D) and the mood was set. It was a Mother's touch.

Home can be the most precious place of all if we put our hearts into it. Despite any trouble that goes on, despite any drama or trials, we need a mother's love to make home a haven.

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Advice for a Happy Home - Peaceful Living by Rules.

Careful thrift in the Home - Reducing Expenses.

A Peaceful Old Fashioned Bible Time - The Prentiss Study. 

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  For Encouragement in Christian Homemaking, order Mrs. White's book,

 "Homemaking for Happiness: Wonderful Days at Home."

You will find essays, articles, and diary entries about life in a Christian home.

Entries are arranged by season, and include:  "Keeping a Frugal Kitchen;" "Missing the Lilacs;" "An Evening Walk in the Garden;" "At Grandmother's House;" and "Chores for Grandchildren."

You will also find a few photographs showing a little of the local landscape.

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