Music Monday: “Unsung Hero” by For King + Country
By Debbie Waltz
Given that yesterday was Mother’s Day, I felt it was important to take a moment to recognize and celebrate all of the mothers who work tirelessly and selflessly for their families. During our childhood years, we often fail to fully appreciate the extent of their efforts and the many things that they do for us. Besides the school run, parents are often responsible for driving children to and from a variety of extracurricular activities and practices, adding significant travel time to their already busy schedules. That requires significant time and dedication, demonstrating their love in a meaningful way.
I am very grateful for my mom’s unwavering support of my education. My past entries have documented my hard-fought path to inclusion in regular education. As parents of a child with special needs, they balanced advocating for their child’s right to a quality education with the more typical parental role of supporting their child’s potential. In the early days of mainstreaming, my middle school failed to provide the personal assistant (PA) I needed to take notes in class.
So guess what? My mom volunteered. She’d put me on the bus in the morning and then meet me at school 30 minutes later. It was tough for a disabled student trying to fit in, especially with my mom having to follow me to every class. But she did it anyway. She realized it was the only way I was going to get the care I needed while they searched for further funding. Sure, it stretched our relationship for a bit at times, but it was necessary to fill in the gaps. Thinking back, I doubt I could have continued without a PA if she hadn’t agreed to assist.
I know it sounds cliché but I think she exemplifies what it means to be “a noble wife.” Proverbs 31 characterizes these qualities into one of 2 categories – physical and spiritual.
- She is a spiritual wife, virtuous and trustworthy bringing honor to her husband:
“Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” (31:11-12) “Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.” (32:23)
2.She is dedicated and physically hardworking:
“She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.” (31:13) “She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family … “(31:15a)
3.Most importantly, she seeks the Lord and is guidance
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (31:25). She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. (31:26)
As a 45-year-old woman, it’s hard to admit.. But I will always need my mother. While I might require more physical assistance from her than most people my age, her guidance and experience are incredibly helpful—much like your mother’s, I imagine.
So please take some time to thank her mother for everything she’s done for you. She’ll appreciate it, I’m sure. Personal note: Thank You Mom for all you done shaping me into the woman I am today. I know it was hard, delicately balancing what you knew was best for me at the time while allowing me to express myself at the same time. Thank you for never giving up on me and always believing in me in my dreams. I hope to share this with my kids someday, biological or otherwise.
Here’s the tribute For King + Country did for their mother, Helen. You can access it here:
