This week our April showers seemed to catch up with us. Sunny days started out with a bright sun shining and by later in the day the clouds began rolling in and quite often we would have a shower of rain or perhaps two or three showers. This is exactly what we needed and what they were. Some days it was only a fine mist coming down but it was moisture regardless! I have no idea if it was a measurable amount, but there was precipitation nearly every day. Early Sunday morning we had another shower of rain which was accompanied with a very strong wind. I appreciated the rain but I could have gotten along very well without the high wind as it blew some of the rolled roofing off my deck. That was depressing, but when I looked up and saw the apple trees were in bloom and the lilacs soon to burst into bloom, all was well in my little world. With the bright yellow dandelions dotting the lawns and the tiny purple violets peeking out every mother could have a Mothers Day bouquet. Arnold and Jane Bonnema helped their grandson, Jaeden, celebrate his 10th birthday Wednesday evening at the home of his parents, Jeff and Jane Schrick, in Rock Rapids. Others attending were his grandparents, Dennis and Gracia Schrick, George, Iowa, Gary and Jane DeBoer, Nicole Kooiker, all of Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Nathan Schrick and a friend, Rieie Clemends, Sioux Falls. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Bernice (Mrs. Duane) Sandbulte and the Sandbulte family on the death of her brother-in-law, August Ykeima, who passed away last Sunday afternoon. Melba Boeve left Thursday for Forest Lake to spend the weekend in the home of her daughter, Julie and John Springman. While there they celebrated their daughter Rachal’s birthday which was on Saturday and also their daughter, Kaley, whose birthday was on Tuesday. Melba returned home on Sunday. There will be an open house for Henrietta Wassenaar’s 80th birthday from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Steen Reformed Church. Hopefully she will be able to attend. Bill and Bertha Bosch, Mildred Keunen and Jo Aykens attended the volunteer appreciation dinner at Tuff Home in Hills on Friday. Mildred Paulsen and Elzora Ott, Luverne, attended the Lakeview United Methodist Health Care Center Auxiliary meeting in Fairmont on Monday. Congratulations to Alisha Roozenboom and Lucas Stubbe who were united in marriage on Saturday at Steen Reformed Church in Steen. Alisha is the daughter of Dave and Eunice Roozenboom. Bertha Bosch and Mildred Keunen attended the volunteer luncheon at the Children Care Center in Sioux Falls Friday noon.Word was received here recently from Pete and Jane DeBoer that their son, Brent, had received his lung transplant and returned home on April 9. He is making a good recovery. A Mother-Daughter Banquet, sponsored by the Girls’ League of Steen Reformed Church, was Wednesday, May 7, at Steen Reformed Church.Don’t forget Mothers Day is Sunday, May 11. When I was a young mother it seemed to me every day was Mothers Day as my children kept saying: "Mom can I," or "Mom, will you take me," "Mom can I have a friend over," "Mom I need" and the lists went on and on. However, now as we look back on those years we realize it was all worth it. I found these words of wisdom in an old magazine with only initials to identify the author but thought they were food for thought for mothers and yes, Fathers Day also.Mothers Day is a day when we take the time to reflect on the meaning of motherhood and the important part mothers play in our lives. The traditional definition of motherhood has been that of cook, seamstress, housekeeper, chauffeur, and sometimes playmate. But most important of all a mother is a teacher, counselor and friend to her children. This is a very responsible multi-faceted role as well as an important and challenging career.Certainly we take the time to read about all the wonderful acts of understanding, sacrifice and love mothers have done for us. But do we consider what we have done, in the way of sacrifice, understanding and love for our mother and father? The rewards of parenthood are even greater when both mother and father see their good examples and teachings are appreciated and reflected in the lives of their grown children. It is important for both parents and children to recognize the individual and human dignity. A key to the mutual understanding is listening to one another, as well as sharing ideas, concerns and love. Of basic importance is the responsibility love implies.This responsibility for loved ones remain with us through our lives — whether we be young parents charged with the responsibility of caring for their babies needs or older children seeing the needs of older parents. As these special days dedicated to motherhood and fatherhood approach, all of us are again given the opportunity, whether we are parents or children (or both), to examine our family relationships. We can become closer to our parents or children when we make an effort to listen, share and communicate our feelings. As Mothers Day and Fathers Day draw near our mothers and fathers deserve our love and recognition all year "round." And so do our children; for today’s children are the parents of tomorrow!Happy Mothers Day to all!
