I love this painting. It is such a great story, which goes something like this: Cornelia, who devoted herself to being the best mother she could and raised her two sons to become brave men, had a female visitor one day. This woman sat in Cornelia's home and showed off her beautiful, expensive jewels as she boasted of her wealth. When she asked Cornelia to show her what treasures she (Cornelia) owned, Cornelia pointed to her two sons and said, "These are my treasures."
I have been blessed with six priceless Treasures. What is the value of a long-distance phone call just to say "hi"? What price is there for watching a 14-year-old cry over the loss of a beloved pet? How much more than any symphony ticket would I pay just to hear a beginner practice whole-heartedly at the piano? Is there a more valuable lesson than one taught by your own offspring from the pulpit? What costs could I possibly put on watching a child grow and make changes even though it is incredibly hard? How could any sound be more rich and melodic than that of my own child's singing?
As the Mastercard commercial says, "there are somethings money can't buy." But being a Mother is beyond Priceless. It is God-like. In a world where basically everything is valued for profitability and net gains, there are those little commodities whose worth is more infinite, more meaningful and priceless than any wealth imaginable. We mothers know what they are.
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