Whither-soever

Sunday, May 10, is the day set aside to honor mothers.  
Mother’s Day should arouse more than grateful sentiments in our hearts. The day should remind us of our deep and abiding obligations to our mothers, who brighten our lives with their warmth, joy and laughter.
Washington Irving has given us these memorable words about a mother’s love and devotion: “There is an enduring tenderness in the love of a mother to her children that transcends all other affections of the heart,” he wrote.
“It is neither to be chilled by selfishness, nor daunted by danger, nor weakened by worthlessness, nor stifled by ingratitude. She will sacrifice every comfort for their convenience; she will surrender every pleasure to their enjoyment; she will glory in their fame, and exult in their prosperity. If misfortune overtakes them they will be the dearer to her and she will still love and cherish them in spite of their disgrace; and if the world casts them off she will be all the world to them.”
Here is a poem titled “Unspoken Thoughts,” which I am reprinting here in memory of my mother, Henrietta Wassenaar, who passed away April 16.
 
Unspoken Thoughts
I wish I had told her
How the blue of her eyes
Was so soft and so clear.
Like the blue of the skies
I wish I had said,
When she brushed back her hair,
That I thought she was pretty,
So slim and so fair.
And I might have whispered
A fond word of praise
When she toiled for my comfort
On long, busy days.
I wish I had said
Many times through the years,
How patient you are with
My joys and my tears.
I wish I had told her
When steps grew more slowly,
And I knew that they had not
Much farther to go.
I wish I had said,
You are so precious to me.
Dear mother of mine,
And you always will be.
I thought these things over
Again and again.
But I did not express them.
With voice or with pen.
So long I was silent,
And now we’re apart
I wish I had told her
The thoughts in my heart.
Happy Mother’s Day !
 
This week I have recipes that were given to me by my aunt, Joan Boeve.
 
Overnight Lettuce Salad
1 head of lettuce
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 red onion
1/2 cup green pepper
1 10-ounce box raw frozen peas
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sugar
8 slices of ham or bacon
4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
Layer in order given.  Combine mayonnaise and sugar.  Spread over top of peas.  Fry bacon and crumble on top.  Sprinkle cheese, cover tightly with aluminum foil. Refrigerate overnight.
 
Apple Dessert
2 cans apple pie filling
1 package coconut, almond or pecan frosting mix
2 cups rolled oatmeal
1/2 cup butter, soft
Spread apple pie filling mix in ungreased 9x13-inch pan.
Combine frosting mix, oatmeal and butter until crumbly.  Sprinkle over pie filling.  Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.