In The Help, the first book by Kathryn Stockett, brings to life the experiences of 12 black maids working for wealthy white families in Jackson, MS, in the 1960s. Recently graduated from Ole Miss, Eugenie "Skeeter" Phelan, one of the book's protagonists, is interested in telling the stories of these domestic servants (or "the help") from their own point of view.
Only with great reluctance and much fear do the maids begin to tell of their struggles to raise the children and clean the homes of their employers in an area of the United States that continued to uphold the Jim Crow laws of segregation.
One of the maids, Aibileen, shares her experiences in the Leefolt household, where she is raising Mae Mobley, a baby girl whose mother is disappointed in her daughter's plain looks and seemingly slow ways, and as a result, has chosen to ignore her. To compensate, Aibileen takes every opportunity to show Mae genuine affection and to encourage her growth and self-esteem. Each day she assures the child: You is kind, you is smart, you is important. When Mae is old enough to speak, she repeats the triple affirmation to the maid, to whom she says: You is real Mama, Aibee!
Similarly, a loving affirmation is offered to believers in the Gospel this weekend, and another reminder of the great love and care that our Shepherd and Divine Parent has for each of his sheep. This month we affirm all of our mothers and in doing so, we thank our Creator. While all earthly mothers are not able at times to love with the same unconditional love that our God has for His children, we are encouraged by our Lord and our Mother Mary to enlarge our hearts, to broaden our horizons, and to translate the love of God for us into acts of loving kindness for others.
May the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, shield all mothers from the power of darkness and give them joy to lead their children to the truth of the gospels.
God Bless,
