Everyone has a mother, living or deceased and everyone needs a mother; either physically present or spiritually present.

Most everyone is only under their mother’s supervision for approximately 18-22 years. Once we become legal adults we are free to make our own mark on the world and often we do this with reckless abandon of the values our parent’s attempted to instill within us. We are no longer hampered by our mother’s seasoned wisdom.

Once we enter adulthood we are let loose in a world in which money and lack of moral judgment has created poor decisions. I know my parents were active in forming my conscience but I wish they would have continued into my twenties, thirties, and throughout my adult life, until their deaths. Since I’m not unique, I know many of us leave our parent’s home hoping to live by our rules and not our parent’s rules, only to discover the rules of our parents were actually (or at least they should have been) the rules of Almighty God, also known as the Ten Commandments.

I know mothers of all ages that would benefit from the ongoing guidance or discipline of their mothers. For example there are young mothers who are letting their children decide who they want as a godparent or sponsor or which relatives to invite to their first communion party. I know a family that didn’t even invite the grandfathers to a grandparent event at school because their child only wanted the grandmothers to attend. I wonder how the mother will feel when the tables are turned.

Mothers have the awesome responsibility of being guardian of their children to educate them morally and socially. Some lessons are harder for the parent than the child but they should never be avoided or relinquished to the child for fear that the child will withhold his or her love. And that unwritten law should remain unchanged regardless of age.

In truth it once was easier to discern right from wrong. A simple rule of thumb was if you didn’t want anyone to know what you were doing it was probably wrong, but now we brag about cheating if it pertains to the IRS, or any other governmental programs. Some commit insurance fraud, pirate satellite television, steal internet access or cellular minutes, in general we feel vindicated in cheating any organization or person who we believe has more than we do, which includes gluttony at an all-you-can-eat buffet, taking advantage another person’s generosity, shorting or delaying a payment for services rendered, making false returns to stores, not contributing to your church, and the list goes on.

We are no longer ashamed to view and discuss pornographic movies, throw an adult toy party, and use vulgar language; it’s the way of the world. We make conversation out of why we stopped going to church. I know a few senior citizens who opted to live together rather than marrying and forfeiting their deceased spouse’s pension. Nearly everything comes down to our personal independence to do what we want as long as it’s legal and doesn’t negatively impact us financially.

For these reasons and more I believe each one of us needs our mother’s discipline and accountability throughout our lives. Regardless of age we never stop making mistakes. Sometimes age doesn’t bring wisdom as much as worldliness. On Mother’s Day words can come easy as we send our love and gratitude to our mothers, thanking them for their unconditional love, time, support, and sacrifice but we should also ask ourselves if our lives are a respectable tribute to our mothers. Happy Mothers Day!

Upcoming events:

Saturday the Versailles FFA is holding its Spring Greenhouse Open House from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

This Sunday, Mother’s Day, the Versailles K of C is hosting a Pork Loin carry-out dinner for $7. Tickets can be ordered by contacting Roger Schlater at 526-9767 or Jake Broering at 419/733-5502. Meals can be picked up at the hall from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Congratulations to the Versailles Prom Royalty: Courtney McEldowney (daughter of Holly and Roger McEldowney) and Kyle Gigandet (son of Sandy and Chris Gigandet). Congratulations Deacon Mike Meyer who was ordained April 30, and happy retirement wishes to Angie Phlipot.

Happy birthday to Harold Langston (95), John Pepiot (90), Kayla Clark, Mike Hayes, Ethan Rhoades Kensie Rhoades, Kevin Flory, Maxwell Curtis, Jan Collins, Kate Brewer, Tracy Nagel, Kristina Treon, Claire Holzapfel, Haylee Lewis, Paige Holzapfel, Andrew Holfinger, Trevor Dirksen, Polly Grow, Rick Berger, Matthew Gibbons, Jason Keihl, John Hilgefort, Emily Harman, Kathy Heitkamp, Rebecca Liette, Ginny Moorman, Rebecca Pohl, Rosie Koverman and Ed Ruhe as their birthdays approach. Anniversary wishes to Joelle and Judson Delancey (4), Nikki and Jason Roll (7), Jackie and Rick Voisard (30), Taunya and Tom Buxton (37), Colleen and Dan Hayes (38), Jeanne and Brad Miller (43), Sharon and Gary Kunk (44), Kathy and George Subler (52) and Jean and Paul Shimp (60).

Supportive and healing prayers for all of us who are dealing with any of life’s many challenges, and especially for; Deanna Jones, Lois Youngker, Linda Wilson, Jim Crotcher, Adam Schwieterman, Kevin McCoy, Judy York, Jim Youngker, Delores Williams, Sam Yagle, David Zumberger, Brian Voisard, Evelyn Bernholt, Cyril Frantz, Norma Magoto, Dave Francis, Ann Paulus Pedersen, Dan Monnin, John Davis, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard, Wayne Pittsenbarger, Barb and Jon Agne, Samantha Smith, Michelle Ullom, Bob Homan and all hospitalized and homebound.

Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Ray Francis (82) and Mary Dues (98), also remembering the lives of Jeff Mescher, Susan Brewer and Brent Corn, Betty Bigham, Tim Sloan, Bill Harman, Lucille Lee, Pauline Schmiesing, Phillip Grillot, Edith Brandt, Margaret Streib, Michael Dapore, Roger Mangen, Joan Barga, Gene and Betty Meyer, Ruth Oliver, Phyllis Albritton, Ruth Gaier, John McGreevy, Mildred Boyer, Charles Berger, Edith Crooks, Glen Shappie, Lucille Coffield, Norma Rinderle, John Todd and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their passing nears.

“Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.” ~Oprah Winfrey

“A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.” ~Cardinal Mermillod

“You’re never so old that you do not need your mother.” ~C. Edwards