By Colleen Pulley
Mother’s Day is coming soon. The stores are filled with cards, candies, and of course flowers. Children, whether 5 or 60 are snapping them up to give to their mothers. Mothers whether 30 or 80 will smile as they receive those gifts of appreciation from their children.
If you ask most mothers, they will tell you one of the most fulfilling roles they have played in life is that of being a mother. There is nothing like having your child placed in your arms after a long labor. A mother will lay down her life to save her child. She will go hungry to ensure her child doesn’t go hungry. She will even beg on a street corner to provide for her child.
Motherhood has been universally celebrated since ancient times. The Greeks and the Romans had festivals to the Mother Goddesses Rhea and Cybele. Most societies celebrate motherhood in some way.
In 1905 Mother’s Day became an official American holiday, largely because of the work of a 44-year-old woman named Anna Jarvis. Anna became disillusioned with how commercialized it had become by 1912. She vigorously fought against the commercial exploitation of the holiday, which started as a tribute to the service mothers give.
Having failed to rid the commercial exploitation of Mother’s Day; Anna, well into her 80s, began campaigning for the legal cancellation of Mother’s Day in the United States. She died in 1948, and is honored as the creator of Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day, like many other holidays has certainly turned in the cash cow for retailers. However, Anna shouldn’t feel too disappointed. I can attest to the fact that though I received my share of candy, flowers and cards, I also received my share of hand printed cards, and pictures. I received kisses and hugs, and priceless declarations of undying love. So, Thankyou Anna Jarvis. Mother’s Day is still all you visualized it should be. But an occasional box of candy, or a bouquet of flowers is appreciated too.
Key Words – Mother’s Day, motherhood, American holiday, Anna Jarvis, commercial exploitation, cash cow for retailers, priceless declarations of undying love
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