HOLY HOMEWORK

Mothers: Modern-Day Heroes or Merely Moms?

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A neighbor runs into a burning house and saves a child from certain death. The 6 o'clock news labels him Superman but he replies that he was only doing what needed to be done. Apparently he is a hero in everyone's mind except his own. What about mothers? Are they modern-day heroes or merely being moms?

Last month I asked my college students to name one person in the world who is a great hero. I speculated that some would list highly visible Change Agents who are trying to impact international social issues like pollution, politics and the global economy. I suspected that other responses would run the gamut from cartoon action figures to Hollywood rock stars. But I'm happy to report that my conjectures were wrong and their answers surprised me.

Topping the chart by a landslide was their mom, with their dad following closely behind and grandparents bringing up a distant third. The remainder of the list included cousins, friends, and popular celebrities, but these only garnered 1 or 2 percentage points at best.

Obviously the phenomenal perseverance and selfless dedication of some single moms who are working full time, maintaining a household, raising a family and putting at least one child through college does not go unnoticed in the eyes of today's young adults. But if we asked these women if they considered themselves heroes, most would smile and say they were merely being moms. They are mothers who are “loving their children into adulthood” with strength that would astonish Iron Man and patience that would impress Mother Teresa.

“My mom raised me by herself, clothed me, fed me, instilled good morals in me and she still pays the bulk of my tuition by working double shifts and taking care of my younger sister at home,” writes one 19-year-old girl. “Of course she is my hero. Who else could hold a candle to what she's done for me?”

“I don't thank her enough, I know that,” admits a lanky fellow who sits in the back of the classroom. “My mom doesn't speak English very well but she works harder and puts in longer hours than any man I know. In middle school my pants never seemed to fit right because I was growing so fast. Other kids would laugh because my cuffs rose above my ankles. But I didn't care. My mom couldn't afford the latest styles so I never said anything. I knew she'd be hurt if I did. My silence was the only gift of thanks I could give her back then. Someday I will be successful. Then I will pay her back so she can relax and live the better life that she deserves. She's more than my hero. I think of her as my 'wonder mom' because I wonder how she keeps going without getting tired.”

For Holy Homework let's offer a special prayer on May 10 for the unsung woman in our lives who would never label herself a modern-day hero, just merely being a mom.

 

Comments can be sent to: FatherBobPagliari@Yahoo.com