MIKE RAINONE/Hammertime
I have to admit that although I was born and raised in jolly old England quite a few years ago, I did not stay up for the famous wedding of William and Kate in the wee hours of Friday morning. There is no doubt that the world will be watching and reading the replays and purchasing the souvenirs of this fabulous $68 million dollar fairy tale event long after the honeymoon is over.
Although I have never been back to my Hemel Hempstead, Surrey, England birthplace, our parents insisted that we should always maintain a great respect for the Royal Family, and be proud of our heritage. Despite the countless problems and constant publicity that all famous families have to endure, I have always been very impressed how Queen Elizabeth and her late mother have tended to their flock, as well as faithfully representing the British Empire with pomp and pageantry throughout the world.
In my humble opinion I believe that William and Kate are a great young couple who took the time to get to know and fall in love with each other long before walking down the isle of the magnificent Westminster Abbey. Some would say that the wedding was rather extravagant, including Kate’s $315,000.00 dress, $800,000.00 for flowers, a $78,000.00 cake, and $32 million dollars for security! But then again on the other hand it made several billion folks of all ages very happy and giddy for many weeks, and likely added about the same in revenue to the much-needed British coffers!
I know for sure that my dearest late mother would have made a big pot of tea and plate of scones and had us all sitting quietly on the couch watching every minute of that wedding ceremony. She would have been absolutely thrilled by all those out of this world hats worn by the ladies to the Royal Wedding, because she always loved her hats, and brought several like that all the way from England in 1948! What-ever the case we need to extend our best wishes to would be- King William and his lady, with hopes that they spend many happy years together, and will not be hounded by the paparazzi and tabloid trash.
A salute to Mothers of all ages
Sunday-May 8th is the glorious occasion of Mother’s Day, so let’s all spring into spring by celebrating and showing our appreciation for those very special ladies we so affectionately refer to as moms and grand moms! Here is a wonderful little verse with a priceless message from our children, and dedicated to moms, and all the other adults around the house!
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my favourite cake and cookies for me, and I learned that the little things could be the most precious things in life.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God that I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in him.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend that was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned that we have to take care and cherish what we are given.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel very good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you always cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I learned most of life’s lessons that I needed to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, ‘Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking!’
Our mothers, bless their hearts, will always be with us. She’s the whisper of the leaves as we walk down the street; she’s the smell of bleach in our freshly laundered socks; and she’s the cool hand on our brow when we are not well. Mothers live inside our laughter; she is crystallized in every teardrop; she’s the place we came from that was our first home; and she’s the map we follow in every step we take. Mothers are our first love and our first heartbreak; and absolutely nothing on this earth can ever separate us from her loving care and her precious memory…not time, not space, not even death.
Have a great week, all of you.