Mother’s Day 2014
Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases ‘Mother’s Day’ and ‘Second Sunday in May’. And so in 1908, the honoring of individual Mothers with a special day began. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Mother’s Day an official Holiday in 1914.
The ensuing commercialization of Mother’s Day was so upsetting to Jarvis that in 1948 she was arrested for disturbing the peace at a public demonstration protesting what she called ‘the Hallmark Holiday’. Although many believe that without adoption by retailers, especially florists, Mother’s Day might never have survived to become the event we currently enjoy.
Today Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries throughout the world. Cards, flowers, dining out, family gatherings, and gifting abound. Church attendance ranks third, behind Christmas and Easter, and it is the biggest long-distance phone call day of the year.
Last week Earth Day celebrations honored Mother Earth; tempestuous and tender; forgiving and unforgiving; verdant and arid; sweet and harsh. Sunday, regardless of how you choose to celebrate, I invite you to honor your Mother.