Letters to the editor

Decades-old homage to moms still rings true

To the editor:

My father, R.B. Vail, owned and published The Baldwin Times from 1921 to 1941. In May 1930, he wrote the enclosed clipping, honoring mothers everywhere, and paying tribute to three mothers who were very special to him: his mother, his wife's mother and his children's mother.

Do you think it is worthy of being printed again for Mothers Day?

Mary V. Clarke

My Mothers

The second Sunday in May has been set aside as a day on which the nation shall pay homage to earth's priceless possession - mother. Each year we pause for that one day and pay a meed of love and honor to our mothers if living, or indulge in sadly sweet memories if she has joined the great host on the other side of the barrier of life.

As we thought of Mother's Day and of mothers, it came to us that that I have been rarely fortunate in this respect. Not one, but three mothers have had a profound influence upon my life. Three good women - three noble mothers; My own, my wife's and my children's. I owe each an unpayable debt of gratitude and love.

My own mother, at whos knee I learned to say "Now I lay me down to sleep," is just a fond happy recollection of early childhood. I remember that I was bad, very bad, must have cause her no end of heartaches, and she was always too sweet and so good, so patient, so ready to explain away my badness.

She left us before I came to realize all that she meant. I never was able to make amends. It's caused sadness in this old heart of mine many, many times. How happy it would be if she might be here just long enough for me to be "a good son" to her, if just for a day!

Dad's gone too, but I recall how he used to come home late and tired from his work and Mother would have to tell him that I had not been the dutiful sone I should have been and how it would distress him.

Another mother, my wife's, had a tremendous influence upon my life. It was my fortunate privilege to be thrown much in her home at the formative period of my youth.

She was also a woman of strong character, deeply religious and broad in her understanding of and patience with human frailties. She counseled me often and always well. She led me by the very strength of her character, frequently without saying a word, away from things that were harmful and torward things that were upbuilding and worthwhile.

To say merely that she was a good woman is not enough; she was actively good. She helped people. Helped them materially and spiritually.

She helped me in many ways, but more than in any other manner she helped me by rearing a noble and wonderful woman to be the mother of my children.

And, it's that last mother that I know best of all and to whom I owe so much.

In that mother's heart of hers, she has been so self-sacrificing, so patient, so motherly - and in that word is all the essence of goodness, of nobility, of love that the English language or the heart of man may hold.

If there is any love in the hearts of men, it was generated first by a good mother. Vaulting ambition, great accomplishment, undying service to mankind, all have been flashed across the screen of the world because of the influence of good mothers.

Truly God was good when he divined and blessed earth with our mothers.

Area troublemakers are out of control

To the editor:

Recently there has been much ado about what is happening within our teenage establishment: boys beating up boys; girls beating up girls; both sexes beating up on each other.

We have read about it and listened to it on TV, both nationally and locally. It is said, "Hey, just some kids having a little fun."

Just recently, The Monitor reported on what happened in Raymondville. Well, let me tell you that it is going on here at home.

I live at Plantation Country Club, and for the past year or so, we have been having a lot of kid damage being done here. This past year, the men from the Golf Club took a of lot time to build individual stands that held the facilities to service the golfer. These were stationed on the various tee-off spots on the course. This winter, more than two have been destroyed and required rebuilding. Just recently, two young ladies from a neighboring area tore one stand apart and proceeded to destroy the green. This past winter, a mobile home was broken into and five TVs were taken. It seems that the culprit is known but no action has been taken.

Is this a trend? We hope and pray it is not, and it behooves us all to work with the local authorities, including Plantation management, in an attempt to get control of it.

John Albert
Pharr