Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day - Sunday 10th May 2009

I'm not a very materialistic person, but I treasure that of which is given to me. This Mother's Day, Caleb presented with me the softest and most delectable green scarf, which takes pride of place around me neck. It was his first purchase at his school's mother's day stall (although he had great trouble in keeping his "secret" a "secret" from me ... by telling me that he had locked my green scarf in his treasure chest so I wouldn't find it ...) He thought it would be useful for my early morning teaching starts. Its' true, the mornings are so crisp right now and I will be wearing his special scarf and thinking of him while I travel to work right now. Little Jaida spending time with Grandma had carefully picked the most beautiful posie of pink flowers, which take pride of place in the centre of our dining table, you can't help but smile looking at them and knowing the joy in which they were delivered. Caleb and Jaida had both carefully written in cards as well, warming my heart to know that they just wanted Mummy to have an extra special day. And Jaxon .... well Happy Mother's Day Mummy, as he jumped all over me in excitement in bed, not fully understanding why everybody seemed especially perky this fine Sunday morning! Just seeing my children's warm and loving smiles was all I needed this Mother's Day.

Thinking about Mother's Day did get me interested though in where did it originate, why were we celebrating this special and joyous day. No doubt somewhere along the line I have learnt about Mother's Day but the information has not been retained. A quick "google" of Origins of Mother's Day filled pages of insightful detail to the ways in which mother's day came about, or different countries and cultures celebrated giving thanks and joys to their Mothers.

Mother's Day - Where did it originate from?

SOURCE

Historians believe that our modern day tradition of honouring our mothers dates back to the ancient cultures of Greece and Rome. Mother goddesses were worshipped in both of these cultures during the spring and in religious festivals. Rhea, powerful goddess and wife of Cronus, was also known as Mother of the Gods. There is evidence of a mid-March festival to honour the Roman goddess Magna Mater, or Great Mother which dates back to 250 BC. The celebration of the "Mother Church" replaced the pagan festivals during the spread of Christianity throughout Europe.

Since it was believed that the Mother Church was spiritual power that gave life and protected from harm it was customary for people to bring gifts to the church. In Europe during the middle Ages, the fourth Sunday in lent became known as mothering Sunday. Most poor folk were employed as servants of wealthy landowners, and therefore forced to live in the home of their employer. They were allowed to return home on the fourth Sunday in Lent, and often brought small gifts or a "mothering cake" also known as Simnel Cake. The cakes, prepared ahead used dried fruit, as these would keep and travel well during the journey home, which would have been made on foot, or if one was fortunate, by horse and cart.

"I think it must somewhere be written that the virtues of mothers shall be visited on their children, as well as the sins of their fathers." Charles Dickens Modern tradition of Mother's Day

Julia Ward Howe, author of the words of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, was the first person to suggest that America adopt a day when all mothers should be honoured. She saw Mother's Day as a day dedicated to peace. The suggestion was not taken seriously however, although she held Mother's Day meetings in Boston, Massachusetts every year.

The celebration of Mother's Day as a holiday in the United States is attributed to Mrs. Anna Jarvis, who dedicated her life to promoting the holiday. She was inspired by her own mother's devotion to the raising of a family of eleven children. On the second anniversary of her mother's death, the second Sunday in May, Anna Jarvis convinced her mother's parish in West Virginia to hold a celebration of Mother's Day. The church was decorated with her mother's favourite flower, the white carnation, a symbol of sweetness, purity and endurance.

Mother's Day - the day of flowers The white carnation was originally worn to symbolize a mother who has passed away and a red carnation for one who is living.

However, many other flowers are now accepted as being significant on Mother's Day. In 1910, West Virginia officially recognized Mother's Day, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it a national holiday.

Mother's Day traditions around the world

In the United States, it is tradtional to bring flowers and take you mohter to lunch or brunch. As in other countries, if a family is not able to be with their mother on this special day, they will often send cards, flowers or gifts to mark the occasion. Others will simply give the gift of their time, spending time with their mother, having a special meal or taking Mother for an enjoyable outing.

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." Jewish proverb

In Australia the white chrysanthemum has taken the place of the carnation, being the most prolific flower in season in May. All along our roadways you will see people with buckets containing bunches of colourful chrysanthemums, for sale on Mother's Day. Many people stop on route to their visit their own mothers, and in remembrance of their care and love, purchase these colourful gifts. Church services make special mention of the devotion of mothers to the task of caring for and raising their children, reminding families to take special care of their mothers.

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." -- Tenneva Jordan

Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Japan, Australia and Belgium celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May, however some countries observe it on a different day. Sweden and France chose to celebrate this occasion on the last Sunday in May, and the French often treat this occasion similarly to a family birthday, when the family gathers together for a celebration meal culminating in the enjoyment of a special Mother's Day cake. We see once again the connection between Mother's Day and Spring festivals, as in Lebanon it is held on the first day of spring, South Africa holds its celebration on the first Sunday in May. Argentina and India observe Mother's Day in October. The festival Durga Puja in honour of Durga, the Divine Mother and most important Hindu goddess in India is celebrated with a 10 day festival in early October. Spain and Portugal celebrate Mother's Day on December 8th, when they not only honour mothers but attend religious services to honour the Virgin Mary.

"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom." Henry Ward Beecher

Anna Jarvis' aim had been for this Day to increase respect for parents and strengthen family bonds. She believed that the gift of time and the giving of ourselves were the important aspects of setting aside a day. No matter from which country we originate, or what time of the year we celebrate, the central theme honouring one's mother is uniform the world over.

"An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest." --Spanish Proverb

Happy Mother's to you all, to those with Mother's still living, I hope you called them to say "Hi Mum, Happy Mother's Day", for those with Mother's lovingly passed, I hope that fond and reflective memories filled your hearts with love.

To all the mother's,

may the joys of motherhood,

be especially evident on Sunday

as they should also be during the week.

Every day should be Mother's Day.