MOTHER'S DAY ON VE DAY (published 5-8-2022; article #321)

Introduction

Happy Mother's Day, on VE Day, y'all! This is my final and fourth article today. Yesterday, I had written, but not published, the first three. Molly (our ol' puppy) had other late afternoon and evening plans!

At 4:48 PM, as I write now, the sun is starting to break through the clouds – finally. Friday was “fun,” with hard rain, then sun, then repeating the pattern all day. Saturday, at least, was cloudy, with on-and-off rain. I hope that a sunny pattern is starting.

Mother's Day 2022

My article “5/9/2021: Mother's Day, on VE Day (Russia), in Midst of Memorial Service” placed life in “such as it was” context last year.

This is Mother's Day number twenty-one, after Mom (Betty Lou Wood Ferrell, 11/24/1932 - 12/27/2000) went to see Jesus.

I have written notes on annual calendars for decades. I have saved all the calendars. On my 2000 calendar, I see that Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I were in Rogersville, with Mom, Dad, and family, at the homeplace – from 5/5/2000, Friday, through 5/12/2000, Friday, when we drove back to our little Knoxville apartment. Before we returned to Knoxville, on 5/12/2000, I had taken Mom to one of her outpatient therapy appointments. On 5/13/2000, I sent Mom a dozen roses. My wife and I were with her family, for her mother (Phyllis Ann House Gordon, 4/10/1941 - 4/30/2017), on Mother's Day (5/14/2000) – which was the birth month and day of Mom's younger brother, Robert Allen Wood (5/14/1939 - 1/18/1941). My wife and I were back in Rogersville, on 5/18/2000 (Thursday). The dozen roses that I had sent Mom, for Mother's Day, were still fresh.

On Saturday, 4/15/2000, Mom had been discharged to home! Her 110 days in two hospitals were over! In May 2000, Mom was weak, but she was at home! Hope was abundant then!

On Mother's Day twenty-one without Mom, I remember the events around Mother's Day 2000 – Mom's final Mother's Day on earth. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! You are still the finest example of a Christian, whom I have ever known! I love you, Mom!

VE DAY 2022

Did y'all know that today (5/8/2022) is the anniversary of VE Day? One source is “V-E Day is celebrated in America and Britain,” by History.com Editors (last updated 5/3/2022, original published date 11/16/2009). VE Day is celebrated in Russia on May 9th annually – as the article mentions and as Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I remember.

The Moscow Times remains a good source for all news in Russia – especially on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The May Day (May 1st) annual celebrations, in Russia, were limited and included protests against the war. In Moscow, the Victory in Europe events (5/9/2022) are scaled down and will probably involve more protests against the war.

Sadly, this once-great nation does not hold annual VE Day celebrations (or very few, if any). The sacrifice of allied soldiers should be honored every year. The Russians still do that – despite Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Many Russians oppose that invasion.

I pray that this once great nation and Russia will return, or turn for the first time, to biblically-based morality, which comes from God. If so, at least much of the current chaos would cease.

Conclusion

My Mom was a peacemaker. I have tried to be as well. On this Mother's Day, on VE DAY, 2022, may peace on earth come, as millions of individuals, around the globe, get right with the Good Lord and change their ways!

My fourth article is complete. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman is mashing potatoes. I'm hungry. Thanks for reading! Y'all keep turnin' right and goin' straight out there!