GRATITUDE
A Tribute to All Mothers!
Happy Mother’s Day!
“A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.” — Cardinal Meymillod
Mother’s Day is an annual event celebrated on the second Sunday in May in the US and many other countries. It is a day to honor mothers and motherhood.
In the United States, Mother’s Day has become commercialized with the sale of flowers, cards, and gifts. But, the day is still primarily a time to appreciate mothers and mother figures.
In my home country, Mexico, we celebrate it every year on the same date, May 10th.
Mexicans have a great deal of respect and adoration for their mothers. We realize their efforts on our behalf, and we are thankful. For many, this date has greater significance than Christmas.
History
The celebration of Mother’s Day began many centuries ago with the ancient Greeks, who held a festival each spring in honor of Rhea, the mother of the gods. The Romans also had a similar festival, called Hilaria, celebrated annually on March 15.
Early Christians honored Mary, the mother of Jesus, on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This practice eventually spread to other countries in Europe. By the 16th century, celebrations were held throughout England and France to honor mothers.
In America, the tradition of Mother’s Day began in the early 1800s when women’s groups advocated for peace and an end to war. One woman, Ann Reeves Jarvis, organized “Mother’ s Day Work Clubs” to teach women how to care for their children.
After the Civil War, Jarvis continued her efforts and organized “Mother’s Friendship Day” events to reconcile former enemies.
In 1868, Julia Ward Howe wrote a Mother’s Day Proclamation calling for mothers to unite for peace. The first official Mother’s Day was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908.
On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday as Mother’s Day in May.
Since then, Americans have honored their mothers with flowers, cards, and gifts. Today, Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for florists, and it is estimated that more than 100 million cards are exchanged.
In Mexico, we celebrate Mother’s Day on May 10. Families get together to have a special meal, often featuring traditional foods such as mole poblano and tamales. Gifts are exchanged, and mothers are honored with great respect and gratitude.
No matter where you live in the world, Mother’s Day is a day to show appreciation for the women who have given us life and love.
A day to be grateful.
Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate and appreciate my mother for everything she has done for me. It is also a day to reflect on mothers’ vital role in our lives. Without our mothers, we would not be who we are today. They have given us life, love, and guidance. For this, we should be forever grateful.
I’m sure that most of you are aware that I’ve been a single dad for some time, and because of this, people may believe I play both parts. But it is not the case. As fathers, we can’t replace a mother figure. It’s just not possible.
A mother is someone who loves unconditionally, someone who is always there for you, no matter what. A mother is someone who makes sacrifices for her children without ever expecting anything in return. A mother’s love is selfless.
So on this Mother’s Day, I encourage you to take the time to show your appreciation for the mothers in your life.
Tell them how much you love them and how important they are to you.
And if you are a mother, know that you are appreciated and loved not on this day but every day.
To all the mothers out there, I want to say thank you.
Thank you for everything you have done for us.
We are forever grateful. Happy Mother’s Day!
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This piece appeared first in Subtack’s Beyond Two Cents.
