Happy Mother's Day
To All
Mother’s Day is a special occasion celebrated in many countries around the world to honor mothers and mother figures for their love, sacrifice, and influence in society. Although the date varies by country, many celebrate it on the second Sunday in May.
Origins and History:
The modern Mother’s Day began in the United States, thanks to Anna Jarvis, who campaigned for a day to honor mothers after her own mother’s death. It was officially recognized in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday. He did do a few things right, eh?
Historically, earlier versions of Mother’s Day can be traced to ancient festivals, like the Greek and Roman celebrations of mother goddesses, and the Christian festival “Mothering Sunday” in the UK.
Common Traditions:
Giving cards, flowers (especially carnations), and gifts.
Spending quality time with mothers and family.
Preparing breakfast in bed or special meals.
Honoring mothers who have passed away with visits to cemeteries or acts of remembrance. I miss you, Mom.
Cultural Variations:
In the UK and Ireland, Mother’s Day (Mothering Sunday) is tied to the church calendar and falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
Countries like Thailand celebrate it on the queen’s birthday.
Many Latin American countries have rich traditions involving church services, music, and community festivities.
Commercialization:
While it began as a heartfelt celebration, Mother’s Day has also become highly commercialized, with significant spending on gifts, dining out, and experiences. This dual nature sometimes sparks conversations about returning to more genuine, personal expressions of appreciation.
Regardless of how you celebrate, remember, Mom was usually right, usually.
You weren’t always right, Mom, but you always cared. Good thing I listened to Dad and did not go to medical school like you wanted. Face it, you were pretty good at a bunch of other decisions, except maybe wanting grandchildren. I look forward to visiting you and everyone at the cemetery in the coming weeks. I’ve changed Mom, but my love for you will last forever and a day.