American Mothers, Inc.

Last fall, I began lifting weights as part of a regular exercise program. Twice a week at the Y, I work out alongside my daughter-in-law and 14 year old granddaughter. Always the active sort, I was nudged into this because of the health benefits to strengthen my bones, so I wouldn’t be as likely to break any more legs! In 1990, I broke an ankle when I was running down a dew soaked, sloped lawn at 3 a.m. delivering my son’s newspaper route when he was at Scout Camp. Just three years ago, I broke it another place when I was cross country skiing with my sons in 20 degree weather. The end result of that was an exciting ride down the mountains on a snow mobile. I love outdoor activities and wanted the better balance and stronger bones that exercise and lifting weights promised. I knew that if I wanted to be stronger, I had to do something about it.

As I considered the speech topic, I thought about four parallels.

Regularity. As part of my strengthening program, I commit myself to frequent participation. When strengthening my family, I also regularly do things with them. We build in family time whether in the form of birthday celebrations, Girls Night Out, or a retreat in the mountains. My mother once told me, “When your husband asks you out, go with him even if you may not feel like it. If you don’t, pretty soon he will quit asking.” So, when my family members call to ask me to go shopping or ride a mountain bike down the Blackwater Canyon Trail, I drop everything else and accept.

Communication. Communication among family members is a kin to communication during exercise. I hear the instructor’s voice, and I have to translate that message to my sometimes less than willing muscles. When the occasional rift or misunderstanding occurs among family members, I am the peacekeeper who attempts to communicate misunderstood intentions.

Exercising one’s faith by prayer and church attendance. Just as strengthening is more than lifting weights, my support of family goes beyond me. Daily, I lift them up in prayer to ask for God’s support. We have our six grandchildren with us each Sunday at the communion rail.

Modeling. As I try to raise the body weights in time with the blaring music at the Y, I watch my instructor and attempt the same moves. Likewise, when my grandchildren see me riding a bike, taking things to the women’s shelter, skiing or lifting weights, I become a model for them.

Mothers must proactively do something about strengthening their families. If they don’t, when the rough days come along, the muscles won’t be ready to respond. Just like my bones, the family will break if it hasn’t been strengthened through regular interactions, communication, exercising faith and modeling. I for one plan to continue lifting weights for myself and for my family.

An honor student, Jo Blackwood graduated from Morris Harvey College with a Bachelor's in Biology and teaching certification.  She earned a Master's in Journalism from Ohio University and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech.  She and her husband, currently professors at the University of Charleston, have been married for 45 years.  They have two sons and six grandchildren.  She attributes her parenting style to the positive modeling by her mother who she said always put other's needs before her own.  In 2004, Jo received the Christa McAuliffe Lifetime Achievement Award for her service to education.