Mother’s Day has a long history behind it. If you wanted to do some research, you’d find its roots can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The official Mother’s Day in the U.S. is credited to Anna Jarvis, although other women are also mentioned when researching the beginnings of this special day. Anna saw Mother’s Day as a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers made for their children, inspired by the death of her own mother. She organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration in 1908, and in 1914, she finally convinced then President, Woodrow Wilson, to make Mother’s Day the 2nd Sunday in May. Interestingly, as Mother’s Day became more and more commercialized, Anna Jarvis became very frustrated, and by the time she died in 1948, she had disowned the holiday completely and had lobbied the government to get it removed from the American calendar.
Apparently she did not succeed in her lobbying. Mother’s Day is still celebrated the 2nd Sunday in May. Because of that, it’s never the exact same date, year to year, on the calendar. The earliest Mother’s Day could be is May 8; the latest it could be is May 14. This can make it a little more difficult to keep track of, kind of like Thanksgiving. But nowadays, there are plenty of advertisements on various media sources to remind us not to forget our mothers on this 2nd Sunday in May.
How do you celebrate Mother’s Day? As a daughter, I try to make sure I send my mom a card in the mail, and I usually have flowers delivered to her or send her some other type of gift, such as a gift card, jewelry, or maybe fragrant cologne or lotion. I also try to call her on Mother’s Day, since we live about 180 miles from each other. As a mom, my boys (all adults) are usually very good about texting me and wishing me a “Happy Mother’s Day!” They often take me out for lunch and sometimes take me out to – my favorite - a movie (and they let ME choose)! As a mom, I can tell you that for me anyway, it’s not WHAT they do or WHAT they may give me that matters most. It’s just the fact that they remember me on that special day.
So what can you do for your mom on this special day of recognition? If you don’t live with your mom, go see her if it’s possible. If that’s not possible or if we are still practicing social distancing this Mother’s Day, be sure to call her. Tell her you love her. If you can, send her a card or a small gift. If you do live with your mom, there are many ways to let her know you care. If there is a particular chore you know she dislikes, do that chore for her – without being asked, and do it well! If you know she likes a certain dessert or meal – make that for her! If she loves flowers and you can afford to send her or give her something, do it! A single rose or a small bouquet of carnations or inexpensive flowers could mean so much to any mother. Write her a note (or poem if you have that talent) telling her how much she means to you. Mention some of your best family memories in the note. I guarantee that will be something she keeps forever. Make her a homemade card, use sidewalk chalk to honor her on the front sidewalk or driveway, or watch your younger siblings for awhile so she can go outside and read or take a walk. Just brainstorm various ideas you can do for your mom and choose something (or a couple of things) you know she would appreciate. If your mom isn’t around anymore for any reason, perhaps there is a woman who has been a mother-type figure to you. Let her know on this special day how much she means to you. If you do this, she will be so appreciative and will never forget it!
Mother’s Day will be here soon! Plan ahead and make sure to do something to honor the woman who does more for you and your family than you will probably ever realize, at least not until you have children yourself one day. Happy Mother’s Day to any moms reading this! To everyone else – have fun doing something special for the Mom or the Mom-figure in your life on this important day!
Mary Joan - ICAN Northwest Iowa Centers
