KINDNESS TO MOTHER by Eli Perkins

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 15, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 15.

KINDNESS TO MOTHER.

By Eli Perkins

I WANT to speak to you of your mother. It may be that you noticed a careworn look upon her face. Of course, it has not been brought there by an act of yours; still, it is your duty to chase it away. I want you to get up to-morrow morning and get breakfast. When your mother comes and begins to express her surprise, go right up to her and kiss her on the mouth. You can't imagine how it will brighten her dear face.

Besides, you owe her a kiss or two. Long ago, when you were a little girl, she kissed you when no one else was tempted by your fever-tainted breath and swollen face. You were not as attractive then as you are now.

Through years of childish sunshine and shadows she was always ready to cure, by the magic of a mother's kiss, the little, dirty, chubby hands whenever they were injured in those first skirmishes with the rough old world.

Then the midnight kisses with which she routed so many bad dreams, as she leaned over your restless pillow, have all been out on interest these long years.

Of course, she is not so pretty and kissable as you are; but if you had done your share of the work during the last ten years the contrast would not be so marked.

Her face has more wrinkles than yours; and yet, if you were sick, that face would appear far more beautiful than an angel's as it hovered over you, watching every opportunity to minister to your comfort, and every one of those wrinkles would seem to be bright wavelets of sunshine chasing each other over the dear face.

She will leave you one of these days. These burdens, if not lifted from her shoulders, will break her down. These rough, hard hands, which have done so many necessary things for you, will be crossed upon her lifeless breast. Those neglected lips which gave you your first baby kiss, and those sad, tired eyes will be forever closed; then you will appreciate your mother, but it will be too late.—Eli Perkins.