Happy Mother’s Day
Mother’s day is fast approaching. Depending on the stage of life you are in, Mother’s Day may have a different meaning or approach to you. Do you have little ones? Able-bodied teenagers? Or adult children who do not live at home anymore? Regardless of your life ‘stage’ – Mother’s Day is a day of honour and love.
When did Mother’s Day begin? What is the origin of this special day?
Celebrations of mothers can be traced back to ancient Greek times who held festivals in honour of the mother goddesses, Rhea and Cybele. The most modern celebration is an early Christian festival known as ‘Mothering Sunday’. It was a major tradition in the UK. Over time, it shifted into a more secular holiday where children would present their mother with flowers and gifts. In North American, this tradition was adapted in the early 1900’s.
In West Virginia, Ann Reeves Jarvis organized Mother’s Day workshops in order to help teach mother’s how to properly care for their children. She also organized a Mother’s friendship club to promote reconciliation with union and confederate soldiers. Later on, Ann’s daughter Anna Jarvis paid tribute to her mom by officially conceiving Mother’s Day to honour not only her own mom, but also the sacrifices all mother’s made for their children. By 1912, many towns and churches were acknowledging Mothers’ day and by 1914, President Wilson officially established Mother’s day as the second Sunday in May. Traditions do depend on the country, but Mother’s Day is a now a worldly event because of these Jarvis ladies.
For me, Mother’s Day is a day spent as a family. Often I see on TV or social media some mom’s exclaiming all they want is to stay in bed all day or have a kid-free day. I, on the other hand, could not imagine my special day without my two fabulous kids around. They are adults now, but even still, they make sure my day is filled with joy, laughter and love. In reality, they do that every day. Whether they are at home, school, or somewhere else, they daily find ways to fill my heart with joy and love.
This year may be a bit different with regards to honouring my own mother (she will be celebrating with her own mom in heaven), but she will be celebrated with plenty of fun and loving memories:
- She loved to laugh
- She was adventurous (My daughter got her on our Seadoo the summer before she passed)
- She was competitve
- She was meticulous with money and book-keeping
- She was giving
- She loved tradition
- She loved her family
Those are just a few of my mom memories, but everyday something new pops into my mind about her that makes me smile.
So, if you are a mom or have a mom, or even know someone who is like a mom to you, go and enjoy your day. There is nothing like the love of a mom and there is nothing like the love from a child. A mother is a rock for her children and a neverending bucket of love for her family. Embrace it with every ounce of joy you have.
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you – Isaiah 66:13
