Mother’s Day Origins
Some people view Mother’s Day as another hallmark gimmick designed to push the flow of money into the hands of florists, chocolate companies, and seasonal franchising. Some put Mother’s Day into the same bracket as Valentine’s Day and Halloween. And yet still others believe that mothers should be honored every day of the year not just on the second Sunday in May. Very few people realize that the holiday known in the United States was created by a grieving daughter determined to recognize all that her mother and other mothers sacrificed for their children during a time when women were strictly marginalized.
It is a natural inclination for mothers to sacrifice their desires and sometimes even needs for their children's health, safety, success, and happiness. This inherent desire to give our children the things we never had has been trademarked as nurturing: to feed and protect, to encourage and support, to bring up. To mother is indeed a verb, an action, a constant commitment to aiding another human being in reaching their fullest potential regardless of your own goals, dreams, and ambitions.
Mothers have been celebrated across countries and times. Original celebrations were dedicated to female deities associated with motherhood and fertility. These festivities date back to ancient eras, cultures, and religions. In modern times, Mother’s Day is celebrated with a diverse array of traditions and across the calendar. In Thailand, mothers are recognized by their children with a garland of jasmine flowers which represent purity and love. The holiday is celebrated in August on the current queen, Her Majesty Sirikit’s birthday. In Indonesia, Mother’s Day is celebrated on December 22nd and involves cooking competitions, Kebaya-wearing competitions, and government flag ceremonies in which only the women participate. Mothers are considered mothers of the nation, not just mothers of the individual. Egypt began celebrating Mother’s Day on March 21st after an influential visit to America by a journalist sparked appreciation for the holiday. It is custom to relieve mothers of all their duties for the day and treat them to luxury and relaxation.
The Mother’s Day celebration as we know it was indoctrinated in the early 1900s. Much like today, women were incredibly undervalued and exploited in this period. Some of these bolder female figures began to protest the injustice of the patriarchal society that was America and reignited the women’s suffrage efforts. One woman in particular, Ann Reeves Jarvis, dedicated her entire life to this activism. To highlight this noble effort, her devoted daughter, Anna Jarvis, sought to commemorate her mother, all mothers, and the incredible contribution they bestow on us. After years of promotion, sponsorship, and advocacy, President Woodrow Wilson officially established the second Sunday of May National Mother’s Day in 1914. Sadly, as soon as the holiday was nationalized, Anna became infuriated with how commercialized the holiday became and spent the rest of her child-less days renouncing the holiday. Her idea of the celebration consisted of wearing a white carnation badge as a symbol of devotion while spending quality time with your mother at home or at church events. The sensationalized aspect of buying expensive gifts coupled with flowers and cards and extra extra extra delineates from the original concept.
Many collectivistic cultures think this mother should be celebrated always and believe matriarchs to be an irreplaceable staple in the family dynamic. Providing a holiday is a step in the right direction. No one is going to turn down a day of celebration, but mothers are sacred beings and as such should be recognized for their deeds daily not annually. Mothers are the foundation upon which the world is built. We are the backs that are broken while trying to create the best birthday party. We are the hands that are scorched while trying to cook a lavish graduation day feast. We are the bags under the eyes after nights, weeks of nights, YEARS of nights with no sleep accumulate. We are the garbage receptacles that capture boogers, leftovers, throw-up, milk, and dookie. We are the shoulders that both carried the weight of slobber and tears, of fears and expectations. Mothers are the backbone of humanity. We should be celebrated every day for the impossible tasks we manage. Use Mother’s Day to honor mothers of the ancients who brought civilization to where it is today, appreciate the mothers of today who struggle and sacrifice to support the children of now, and prepare the mothers of tomorrow that will raise the future.
