Editor's Note: This column by Lee Robinson first appeared in the White Center News in May of 1965. We share it again, well because it still has resonance today and because we loved her.

By Lee Robinson

It would be very difficult to sell this "old-fashioned mama" on the idea of planned parenthood. The world is glutted with people and I recognize the problems that overpopulation can bring. But to me there is something very cold and matter of fact and even crass about pre-determining the exact number of offspring to be allotted per couple. It isn't cricket and it certainly isn't human. 

I recall that as each new child arrived in our little nest, the father-bird was pretty concerned about scratching up more worms for the new egg-hatch.

"What are you worried about? I'd ask. "Consider the lilies of the field and like that,"

Then he would embark on another of his dime lectures for feather brained wives: "The lilies of the field do not wear shoes, have insatiable appetites, or require educations. Furthermore my dear there are other people in the world  who also produce offspring. You do not have to repopulate the world all by yourself."

He talked that way a lot because he used to think you just sent a note to heaven and then the stork dropped a little bundle down the chimney. He had a lot of strange ideas about procreation, including the theory that pregnancy was the result of drinking too much coffee. (I figure he just resented those 2 a.m. feedings). And of course he always referred to the kinder as "your children" while they were in the diaper stage and whenever they misbehaved. 

But his tune changed as soon as they were big enough to be fishin' buddies. Now he takes full credit for producing five sons. To hear him tell it, you might even think he accomplished this all by himself. Our sons think he did. They believe he can do anything. In fact for a long time they thought he was God, or at least Mandrake.

But he says that's my fault because I used to say things like, "Gawd Almighty when are you going to do this?" or I would shout "Gawd Almighty where have you been?" oh gee whiz. I did not!

I have another gripe about planned parenthood. If everybody had been diligently planning to meet a statistical quota ever since Adam and Eve, a lot of nice people would be missing. 

There are five I wouldn't have missed for the world. My kids!

Why am I telling you all this? Because next Sunday is Mother's Day and for one would like to thank my sons Michael, Kenneth, Timothy, Patrick and Scott for the pleasure they have brought me, for the knowledge I have gained, and finally for the privilege of sharing a portion of their lives.

For me each child has been like opening a surprise package. I like it better that way and I'll wager there are a lot of other "old fashioned mama's" who feel the same way.