Some cultures have rings typically associated with them. Cultures such as Native Americans use silver and turquoise in their jewelry. Early Christians used Greek symbol, Icthus, which resembles a fish. One of best known is Irish Claddagh that also has an intriguing story attached to it. Richard Joyce was among crew of a fishing boat from village of Claddagh, Ireland that was captured, he was to have been married that very same week. During slavery Richard Joyce was put to trade of Goldsmith-ing. Through years of capture neither married. Richard Joyce created a ring for his love with a heart for love, a crown for loyalty, and two hands.

After Joyce escaped capture, he returned to village of Claddagh and was overjoyed to see his love again and to know she had never married. She always knew he would return to her. He gave her ring that has become known as Claddagh ring. If Claddagh is worn on right hand with crown inward (toward wrist) heart is not yet committed. If it is worn on right hand with crown turned outward wearer is committed to someone. Finally if it is worn on left hand with crown outward it means “Let our love and friendship reign forever, never to be separated.”

Rings are worn for a variety of reasons including adornment. There are rings given as a reward for a job well done such as Super Bowl victory. They are given to represent commitment as in engagements and marriages. Women religious to signify their commitment to God also wear rings.

Rings can be made of almost any material now. They can be made from plastic, silver, gold, or copper, even wood. They can be made of ceramic materials as well. They can be of simple design or something as intricate as filigree.

Motherhood is most important profession in world. Mothers are entrusted, and are almost totally responsible for health, care, training, morals, security, emotional strengths, attitudes, social understanding discipline, and learning success of their children. Collectively, mothers control development and growth of almost all children in world, who eventually mature into adults. The relationships children and even adults have with their mothers shape who they become as adults. The results of efforts of mothers are universal, extremely powerful, everlasting, and extremely important to every person on globe. Unfortunately, motherhood is not given respect and honor it deserves, as world shaping profession it is.

Motherhood is a very difficult and diverse profession. Mothers are required to possess knowledge, practice skills, and perform duties of so many different life functions that it would be impossible to list them all. Here are but a few. Mothers must successfully perform as nurses, cooks, nutritionists, teachers, trainers, educators, coaches, therapists, disciplinarians, financial advisors, protectors, cleaning specialists, transportation specialists, sports enthusiasts, clothing and appearance specialists, peacemakers, mediators, and spiritual advisors. Wow!

Mothers are given little, if any, prior formal training. A vast majority of knowledge, skills, and experience of performing all of important motherhood life functions are learned ON THE JOB. I know of no college or university that teaches or trains mothers. They must learn motherhood on their own, and by following their instincts. Other professions like attorneys, medical doctors, and dentists, must attend anywhere from six-to-ten years of additional education after high school to be qualified to begin their profession. Yet, mothers are required to be fully knowledgeable of all motherhood requirements and operate at almost full speed from virtually very beginning of motherhood, with very little, if any, training.

Motherhood is a non-income producing profession. Even though mothers perform most important profession in world, they rarely, if ever, generate monetary income from their motherhood efforts. Mothers are not paid to perform their multitude of very important duties and activities. Mothers are rarely paid to change diapers, prepare meals, or train their children. Mothers are frequently supported by their husbands, who are expected to generate enough income to pay for their needs. Unfortunately today, there appears to be an increasing trend of expecting mothers to continue performing their full time motherhood professional duties and also work at an income-producing job to generate money.

The time and energy demands on mothers diminish with time. As youngest child grows up, time demands, effort demands, mental involvement, and personal contact by mothers with their children will shrink. Motherhood with young babies is almost a 24 hours, seven days a week profession. Think of relief mothers feel when their youngest baby finally sleeps through night for first time, without awakening for feeding or to have a diaper changed. The job requirements of motherhood are greatly reduced, as their youngest child goes off to school. Time and energy demands on mothers diminish even more as their youngest child continues to grow and attend even more out of house activities. Eventually, mothers will be faced with an empty nest as purposes of their motherhood vocation depart.