Love your Mother
While it would be logical to assume that Mother’s Day was the brainchild of Hallmark, the founder of the holiday, in the United States at least, was a far less schmaltzy sort. More than a century ago, Anna Jarvis of West Virginia conceived the day as a way of honoring mothers for the sacrifices they make for their children. Inspiration, naturally, came from her own mother, a social worker of sorts who started Mothers’ Day Work Clubs teaching women how to care for their children. During the Civil War, she also organized Mothers’ Friendship Days where mothers of Union and Confederate soldiers met to try to promote harmony. Jarvis’ mom had frequently expressed a desire for the establishment of “a memorial mother’s day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life.”
After her mom’s passing in 1905, Jarvis was flooded with sympathy cards praising her mother, which she read repeatedly. So moved was she by this outpouring of affection and admiration that she decided to honor her mother’s wish and create a day dedicated to all mothers. On May 9th, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May official. As the years went by, however, Anna Jarvis became embittered by the commercialization of the day and her war against it was legendary. After multiple lawsuits, rallies, boycotts and storming of greeting card and floral companies, Jarvis went on to eventually disown the day. Never a mother herself, Jarvis died penniless and alone in an institution. She was reportedly never told that her bills for her time there were, ironically, partially paid for by a group of incredibly thankful florists.
And thankful they should be. Predicted flower expenditure this weekend in the US alone is a staggering $2.66 billion dollars. And while this is likely cause for Anna Jarvis to turn in her disgruntled grave, she did appoint the white carnation, her mother’s favorite flower, as the original flower of Mother’s Day. “The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies, and so, too, mothers hug their children to their hearts, their mother love never dying,” Jarvis explained in a 1927 interview.
Today more than 40 countries around the globe celebrate this special day, with each and every nation proud of their own unique traditions. One of the most unusual ways to celebrate Mother’s Day is observed in Yugoslavia. Children creep into their parent’s bedroom first thing in the morning, and tie their mothers up. In order to be released, it’s compulsorily for the mother of the family to present her children with gifts as soon as she wakes up. Flowers for me, please.
Whatever your preferred tradition, I think we can all agree that mothers are a special breed that deserve to be heartily commended. Part saint, part superhero, part total sucker for punishment – today we celebrate you all. We asked our very special Oil Nut Bay mothers to give us a glimpse into what today means to them. Here’s what some of them had to share…
“The best thing about being a mom is the unconditional love we have for each other. The little things they do to put a smile on your face every day… when my son randomly yells out ”Mommy” and I ask him why he’s shouting like that and he says “I love you!!” – Novlette Hylton, mom to Ramon (16)
“For me, one of the best perks of being a mom is my baby becoming a parent. I remember when my mom told me how much she loved watching me parent my daughter, and I felt this same feeling when I first laid eyes on my daughter, Jennifer, cradling her daughter, Stella. Stella has now reached the sweet age of six years old and each time I see her with her mom, I’m impressed all over again by how Jennifer has so readily taken to this mommy business. I have loved being Jennifer’s mom and am getting such a kick out of “grannyhood”. Being Stella’s “Gi” is the best thing in life to me and there is no one I would rather spend my time with. My daughter is 40 years old this year and has a child of her own who we both love deeply, but I still have big dreams for my only child. Mothering never changes, it is the most challenging job in the world but the most rewarding for sure.” – Pamela Johnson, mother to Jennifer (39), “Gi” to Stella (6)
“It’s all about putting my children’s needs above mine. An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest” – Bridget Smith, mom to Daron (33), Antonio (26), Shakeel (25) and Rheudel (!5)
“Motherhood has taught me the meaning of unconditional love. Becoming a mother has made my life complete.” – Mandy Cameron, mom to Christopher (24) and Amaya (21)
“Motherhood has taught me to make sacrifices and the strength to be the best version of myself. I learned to be your best version is to be you and portray yourself in the best possible way to your child! Whatever you do is what they will follow until they can make their own decisions. As a first-time mom back then with little knowledge, I had wanted to create my own way, my little world. When my son took his first step and said his first word, I felt as if I had won something big as a MOM, but when that unexplainable feeling hit me for the first time when he fell and hurt himself, I thought I failed, but as he grew up it made me realized that is all part of motherhood.” – Bibi Ali, mom to Mehran (10)
“Being a mother means more than giving birth to a child. It is an unconditional love and a protective force that you never knew you had.” – Brendaline Xavier, mom to Kiana (22), “Glamma” to Kymani (2)
“Before I became a mother, I didn’t realize what a luxury it was to be able to shower without an audience.” – Jennifer, mom to Stella (6)
We hear you Jennifer. And we celebrate you all! Happy Mother’s Day.
