the original mother's day...

...had nothing to do with flowers, brunches, jewelry, chocolate or cards. This is the (fairly long) story of one of my personal heroes, Julia Ward Howe. Better yet, watch this, a YouTube version of her stirring speech of 1870.  

And check out "code pink"! A bunch of women in our Shawl Ministry group were working on this at our last meeting.

Whatever you end up doing tomorrow, I invite you to take a moment to remember and honor Julia Ward Howe's courage and conviction.  

I offer this as my Mother's Day card to you...as a child, parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle...as a member of the human family....

If there is to be peace in the world,

there must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,

There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,

There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors, 

There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,

There must be peace in the heart.

LAO-TSE