Mothers and Peace: The true cost of motherhood

In one Cincinnati neighborhood, the tone for this year's Mothers Day was set in the backdrop of peace marches (Who Killed our Kids: Marching for Peace). Although in most neighborhoods mothers are probably being pampered with manicure in beauty salons – or something similar, dinner outings with families, or flower presents in appreciation, the issue of safety is always of concern to mothers.

Mothers everywhere bear the pain of sons and daughters - and husbands - killed in war.

How about the teenagers and young adults killed daily in senseless violence? That has to be the most excruciating pain of motherhood. And Cincinnati has its share of street violence and young lives cut short prematurely. Gunshots are regular noises day and night in Over the Rhine, Avondale, West Walnut Hills and Price Hill is fast becoming a trouble spot.

When it comes to peace and co-existence among individuals and nations, mothers seem to have a sixth sense which is lacking in the male species in general. The latter easily resorts to violence for conflict resolution and the cycle of conflict and pain never ends.

The best present to mothers on this, and every Mothers Day, would be for every community to intentionally come together to work for justice and creating conditions that promote peace among individuals, communities and the nations of the world in general.