Mothers, mothers, mothers…You are every child’s hero! You (along with a little help from Dad and the doctors) were the conduit God chose to bring us into this life, to give us the one and most important present we have ever received: LIFE.
Sure, Dad went out to work most days, the doctors helped when we became sick with good advice and the recommended medicine, but, it was you, Mom, that stayed in the trenches fending off every disease, cleaning every dirty diaper, table and floor while still making all the meals and sending your husband on his way to work with a quick kiss and a smile.
Our worldwide culture has evolved over the last 2,000 years. Until recently, women in general were thought of as second class citizens, when in truth, the scientists have proven them to be smarter and more mature than men. Who would have thought? Now, women from every background are being given the chance to shine in every line of work. But wait a minute, you were already shining! You had already proven yourselves long, long ago.
In early history, you took care of the young ones and the fire while the men went out to hunt for food. For the last 1500 plus years, you helped prepare your husband’s armaments for battle, you still took care of the children while adding to your chores list the preparation of meals, doing the laundry, folding the clothes and cleaning the house.
In the most recent history, you have also appointed yourselves as breadwinners while taking care of the aforementioned household duties. For anyone to have said you were never an important part of the family or community structure is absolutely ludicrous.
I seem to remember, loosely quoted from the Bible, that the woman was to stay at home while taking care of the children, meals and laundry. That just doesn’t fit anymore. Honor should be given to every woman, Mother or not that has strived within herself to make positive differences in the world around her.
Mothers face Titanic challenges, none of the least being the education of her children while battling to keep her sanity with all of her other inherited duties always looming on the horizon. If you are reading this article, I would highly suggest you tell your Mother how important she is to you and why you value her. It is quite simply one of the best presents she will ever receive!(Oh, and follow that up with a BIG HUG!)
In this day and age, it is all too easy to take for granted what our Mothers have done for us. We are all too busy with Social Media, sticking our noses into the multitude of Apps that our preferred cell phone or electronic device can handle instead of honoring those people in our lives that have made the biggest differences, starting with our Mothers.
Yes, she made you mad sometimes. Yes, she may have spanked you when you misbehaved to get your attention. Yes, she may have embarrassed you several times. Yes, she might have been stricter than you would have liked, however, she is still your Mother. She’s the only Mother you have, so honor her this Mother’s Day in a way you that know she will appreciate it.
If you’re sitting there shaking your head with no idea in sight or mind, let me impart to you an old but in many cases new trick to help you know just what to do for your Mother on her special day: Find yourself a piece of paper, write a list of the things you have already done for her (or NOT) and a list of things you would like to do for her. Take a few minutes to let your eyes roll over the list several times while keeping your mind open to suggestion.Within moments, the best idea will appear as if by magic and you will know exactly how to make your Mother the most important Mother on her special day.
This article would not be complete without mentioning one of the most important Mother’s to Mother’s around the world, Anna Jarvis.
In 1876, her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis closed a Sunday school lesson with the following prayer:
I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial Mother’s Day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it.— Ann Reeves Jarvis
It was this prayer that allegedly gave Anna the inspiration for Mother’s Day. Her family was full of courageous women that were all for the most part activists. She was no different. She never forgot her Mother’s prayer. With all of her might, Anna embarked upon a campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday. After much work and dedication, innumerous letters to influential people in the community, church groups and even politicians on the local, state and federal levels, the first Mother’s Day Service was held on May 10th, 1908 at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia.
Her campaign was not over, however and in 1912 she incorporated the Mother’s Day International Association (MDIA)which gave way to national and international recognition of this special day. Mother’s Day quickly spread throughout every state in the Union and became recognized early on in the following countries: Canada, Mexico, China, Japan and also spread as far as South America and Africa.
Thanks to Anna Jarvis’ tireless efforts, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared Mother’s Day a national holiday in 1914. She earned the affectionate title, “Mother of Mother’s Day” for all of her hard work to assure that her Mother’s prayer came true. Quite fitting, and so it should be if you ask me.
To all Mother’s big or small, little or tall, we wish you the happiest Mother’s Day ever as we also remember Anna Jarvis and her Mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis for their efforts on the behalf of Mother’s around the world.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, MOM!
5
A Shout Out to Our Heroes!
by Scott Barker