Ever since the dawn of our history, the Armenian household has been a very endearing kingdom, where the fathers are the kings and mothers the queens of the house. We are very loving and respectful of our mothers, because we understand the great value and role of motherhood.
Indeed, mothers have a great influence on the lives of the family and of the nations. “The hands that rock the cradles move the world,” is not a mere statement but the truth. In early childhood years mothers at home are the forges that build a person’s future character.
When we study the biographies of famous people, we find out that their mothers had a great effect and influence shaping their lives. Emerson once said, “Men are what their mothers make them.” Abraham Lincoln testified, “Whatever I am, and whatever I wish to be, I owe to my angelic mother.”
A mother’s greatest calling is educational. The greatest part in the education of a child falls on his mother’s shoulders. The mother is the supporting column of the house, especially in these days when many fathers, being greatly occupied with work, are unable to educate the children.
One of our famous Armenian poets, Hovhannes Shiraz, wrote the following about his mother.
Our mother is the door of hope, the chapel of our house,
Our childhood cradle, and the castle of our home.
The bright beams in my hopeless home, the soiled but virgin hands.
Keeping our home vibrant, my mother’s bright hands.
Mihran Jizmejian
AMAC Chairman
