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The Lighthouse Road: Honor Your Mother
by Dr.
Anita M. Lewis-Sewell
Guest
Column
Then
Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy
faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter
was made whole from that very hour.
Matthew
15:28
She was
born into a world of obstacles, but she was destined for
greatness.
Her
family was poor. As she was a female, society that did not
affirm or offer her the promise of equal opportunities. As a
black American, age-old racial barriers stood as daunting
hurdles to the hope of a meaningful future. As a child, she
was afflicted with a disease that threatened to rob her of
the ability to walk.
But her
mother was a woman of faith, vision, and determination. This
mother refused to accept that her daughter was condemned to
a life of physical limitations.
The
family could not afford the cost of medical care, so this
young girl’s mother enlisted the helping hands of her
brothers and sisters. They took turns providing the
physical therapy that helped overcome the lingering effects
of polio and, thus, played an important part in their
sister’s future athletic success.
The
child’s name was Wilma Rudolph.
With the
care and support of her family, she gradually recovered.
Wilma Rudolph not only
walked, but she began to run.
She
participated in the 1956 Olympics
in
Rome
and the 1960 Olympics in
Melbourne, Australia,
winning an impressive three Olympic gold metals and one
bronze metal in track and field events
This
“Black Gazelle,” as she was known, gained worldwide fame,
having overcome personal, physical, and historical
handicaps.
Her
tremendous accomplishments secured her a distinguished place
in history. They stand today as an inspiration to anyone
who wonders if the baton of success belongs only to a
privileged few.
Other
helping hands, coaches and mentors, cultivated the talent
that Wilma exhibited as a young athlete, making valuable
contributions to her life journey.
Ultimately, all of
America
and the entire world applauded and acclaimed her special
gifts of grace and physical speed.
It is
important to reflect upon life stories of success and
achievement. Goals reached against significant, even
overwhelming, odds inspire us. Such stories encourage us to
keep faith in our dreams, especially if they require great
effort, significant resources, and sustained commitment.
The
microcosm from which this great athlete emerged holds
important lessons for us all. A strong and healthy family is
an important foundation for every child. The unity and
commitment of family can help to overcome many obstacles.
A good
mother goes far beyond simply giving birth to a baby. Hers
is a lifelong journey of love, guidance, and support.
A
mother’s womb is where life first grows and develops. It is
the first cradle of commitment that protects and nurtures
each brand new human life.
In many
ways, the womb is highly symbolic of the family, the
community, our societies, and the world at large. Once a
child is born, his or her ultimate survival and success in
life is markedly influenced by the conditions and
environment into which it is ushered.
Our
families, neighborhoods, and greater communities have the
power to nurture, affirm, and support a child’s maturation
and success.
These
entities also possess the power to limit, neglect, or
destroy a child’s future through war, violence, abuse,
discrimination, poverty, famine, and so many other harmful
experiences.
***
Have you
seen a movie titled The Children
of Men? This rather desperate tale depicts a
world at war where children no longer exist. No babies
have been born for almost 20 years. The entire world is
engulfed in chaos, grief and conflict.
The
story involves the efforts of a band of rebels to protect a
woman who has managed to conceive in this dark time of
infertility and despair. When the child is born, everyone
who sees the baby is so riveted and awed by the sight that,
for a short interlude, all fighting stops. Every soul is
momentarily mesmerized by the miracle and meaning of
life. But the effect, unfortunately, is all too brief.
***
How
marvelous it will be when humanity comes to a consensus that
all life is sacred, that love is more powerful that hatred
and peace is more precious than war.
How
wonderful it will be when all children are loved, affirmed,
and supported in developing into their best selves, despite
the obstacles that life has placed in their paths.
God has
called us to be helpers one to another, but not every
important life accomplishment is played out on an
international or global scale.
Each
child is precious and has a divine destiny determined by
God. Our Olympian goal should be to transform this world
into a positive place where all our children can achieve
their highest potential.
.
Honor
your Mother. Motherhood, without question, is among the most
significant of contributions to that eternal tapestry called
life. Wilma’s mother was an integral part of her daughter’s
success in life. A mother’s love, like the love of God, is a
helping and a healing thing.
Happy
Mother’s Day.
Dr.
Lewis Sewell may be contacted at
TheLighthouseRoad@woh.rr.com
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