Saturday, May 9, 2009

Mother's Day

I want to post today on Mother's Day. Frequently, people get their mothers flowers for Mother's Day. While that is nice and all to get your mom something pretty, really I think it's a bad idea. Why would you get your mother something that is pretty for awhile and then wilts and dies? I just don't like the symbolism there.

You can get your mother a potted plant or tree that will live on for some time. That's pretty good symbolism and a thoughtful gift. But I have something better. I think you should get your mother a cow. (I'm currently envisioning my mom receiving a cow and figuring out what to do with it since she lives in a motor home).

Hindus worship the cow as a symbol of maternal nurturing. Think about it, the cow provides milk for sustenance, power for work and dung for fuel. When cow dung is burnt it releases a natural mosquito repellent and the ash makes a great fertilizer. For many of the Hindu people the cow nurtured their life more than almost anything else; just like a mother. So I think you should get your mom a cow for mother's day.

Oh, and don't get her a card. We don't need to support Hallmark in any way.

I recently heard a story on NPR that was wonderful. I think you should read it. (I tried to find an MP3 version, but failed).

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there. I even think higher of mothers than I do of cows. Thanks for nurturing the world and making it a better place.

2 comments:

Heffalump said...

I think I would rather have a goat than a cow. Two goats! They could eat our grass so we wouldn't have to mow, and I could still get milk from them if things worked out right!

Deb said...

I think this is a great idea. Even if your mother has no place for a cow, you can give one in her honor at www.heifer.org and help struggling families all over the world provide food for their children and become self-reliant.