Reece Gardner: The hand that rocks the cradle

As I began putting this column together, an old "saying", which I hadn't really thought about for many years, came to mind. That "saying" is "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." That is a profound truth because it highlights the powerful influence Mothers have on our lives, for which we can all be eternally thankful. 

Since that very special day, Mothers Day, is coming up on Sunday, I want to share some thoughts about the wonderful and positive impact of Mothers. My mother and My Emma are both in Heaven now but their love can still be felt very strongly. 

Emma was the leader in making our house a home, with her unconditional love for me and for our children, Jessica, Reece, Jr., and Jason our son, Jason, was called to Heaven 6 years ago at the young age of 37, but we could take comfort in knowing that he KNEW that he was loved and cherished every day of his life. There is no way I can accurately describe what Emma meant to me, and how much I miss her. 

She was truly my EVERYTHING, and I take comfort in knowing that we will be together again soon. I am also very blessed to have yet another Mother in our lives, my beautiful, very special daughter, Jessica. She is such a loving mother to her three very special children, and they have been aware of that love from the first day they came into this world.

On my Mothers Day card to Jessica this year, I am writing these words, "You are the spirit of Christmas, my star on the tree, you're the Easter Bunny to Mommie and me, you're sugar and spice, you're everything nice, and you're Daddy's Little Girl." And to me, she will always be DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL! I am also thankful for my daughters-in-law, Lisa and Christie, for the wonderful love they provide every day to their families.   You may have noticed that in this column I have used the word "Love" a lot, and that usage is on purpose, Folks. 

Let the ones you love know it, and do it NOW. Looking back, I wrote these words on a Mother's Day Card to my Mother many years ago:  "Who ran to catch me when I fell, and would some pretty story tell, and kiss the place to make it well, My Mother. An infant when her love first came, a man I found it just the same.  Reverently I breathe her name, the precious name of MOTHER." Upon her passing, that card was found among her special possessions.

Now, for a little humor:  An elderly Canadian gentleman arrived in Paris at the French Customs desk. He took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry-on bag. "You have been to France before, Monsieur?" the customs officer asked, sarcastically. The elderly gentleman admitted that he had been to France previously.

"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready," to which the Canadian responded, "The last time I was here I didn't have to show it."

"Impossible, Canadians always have to show their passport on arrival in France!" The Canadian senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look, then quietly explained, "Well, when I came ashore at Normandy on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchman to show it to!"

Have a really GREAT day!