Linda Lewis Griffith

A woman recently spoke to me about a disconcerting incident in a restaurant. She and her young children were dining in a pizza parlor. A nearby group of tipsy 20-somethings was talking loudly and using excessive profanity. “They were saying f ing this and f---ing that. Iwouldn’t take my kids to an R-rated movie. I didn’t want them exposed to those words.”

Invitations have all been sent. Toasters and Cuisinarts are starting to arrive. But you’ve got a sinking feeling. You want to call off the wedding.

I propose giving Mother’s Day a makeover. It’s time for a new hairstyle and wardrobe to replace an outdated style. My reasoning? Mother’s Day focuses on women’s roles as childbearers and child raisers. We say a deserved “thank you” to those who gave us life and who stayed awake until we were safely home.