Is Mother's Day a Hallmark Creation? I Think Not!
Is Mother's day a Hallmark creation? I think not! Mother's Day founding has a special and unique history much like the women that we celebrate on this holiday. Mother's Day is a celebration of motherhood, maternal bonds and the impact they have had in society. For some, these women are our big sisters, aunts, grandmothers, and mentors. No matter who they are, our love for these women have been unwavering throughout history. It is a special bond that withstands the trials and tribulations throughout our lives. I know that so many are very grateful for these women. Grateful for the sacrifices they made and how they have been there in our time of need.
The celebration of motherhood occurs throughout the world; many of these can be traced back to ancient festivals, like the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration. Now let’s look at how this holiday came to be in modern day America.
HISTORY BEHIND THE DAY
In modern day history, Mother's Day was established by Anna Marie Jarvis, with the help of Philadelphia merchant John Wanamaker following the death of her mother Ann Jarvis in 1905. Jarvis campaigned to establish Mother's Day first as a U.S. national holiday and then later as an international holiday. The holiday was declared officially by the state of West Virginia in 1910, and the rest of states followed quickly. On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day and on May 9, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring the first national Mother's Day as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war.
According to her New York Times obituary, Jarvis became embittered because too many people sent their mothers a printed greeting card. As she said,
A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. —Anna Jarvis.
A WORLD WITHOUT MOMS: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
The Jubilee Project created the video "A World without Moms" to honor moms around the world in hopes to inspire others by the love and care we received from our own moms. Moms mean a lot to all of us. Yet, every year 7 million women are injured and 350,000 women die from complications due to childbirth. These deaths, however, are preventable by providing basic maternal health care.
Inspiring video that encourages us to come together and help build a world where children won't have to live without moms.
THE SWEETEST THING
So warm and sweet as a midsummer day
Soft as the clouds, that kisses the big blue sky
You are still there to embrace me when I cry
You are my ideal that I want to portray
You stand by when all is in disarray
I know we do not always see eye to eye
But you are my teacher until I am grey
Love that we share is simple as a flower
It is strong and deep as the roots of a tree
Time shall never be a boundary that rest
The sun will rise and a day will tower
But the love, memories, and friendship is key
To why our relationship is so blessed!
I wrote this poem for my mom when I was sixteen years old in honor of her for Mother's Day.
How do you plan to honor your mother this Mother's day? Express your mother's day wishes to the world or privately.
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4 References | in Family, Holiday, Society | tagged History, Mother's Day, Mother's day poem, Motherhood, Women's role in society, mother, poem Permalink Print Article
Reader Comments (1)
Girl power! Great post Bethann, Mother's Day is what you make of it - Hallmark or not. I have always taken the opportunity to shower my mom with the gratitude and consideration she deserves for putting up with raising a daughter. We’ve come full circle now and are the best of friends. I stand with you, Mother’s Day is a cherished holiday in our household.