MOTHERS DAY: A brief history of Mothers Day

LIKE Valentines Day, Mothers Day has sadly become another blatantly commercialized holiday (which isn’t even a holiday) where gift stores capitalize on another opportunity to sell cheap crap to children to give to their mothers to show their love and appreciation for them.

I always used to write my mother dearest a poem on Mothers Day, and perhaps bring her a special instant cuppucinno in bed. That’s not because I’m cheap, but rather because it’s something more personal. It is also something that my mother appreciates more than some plastic or edible gift that the dog would end up chocking on if the opportunity presented itself.

So rather than rush off and buy mommy some cheap Mothers Day gift that says “I love you mom”, rather tell her yourself. After all, everyday should be Mothers Day, and everyone should let their moms know how much they are appreciated and loved. I’ve had a mother for years now, so I know what I’m talking about.

Or you could present her with this: A brief history of Mothers Day, accompanied by coffee (or breakfast) in bed. (The disappointed dog will get over not having a new chew-toy over time).

A brief history of Mothers Day

The Mothers Day holiday was created by Anna Jarvis as a day for each family to honour its mother. It is now celebrated on various days in many places around the world, and takes place in South Africa on a Sunday in mid May.

This holiday is relatively modern, being created at the start of the 20th Century. It should not be confused with the early pagan and Christian traditions honouring mothers, or with the 16th Century celebration of Mothering Sunday, which is also known as Mothers Day in the UK.

A couple of years after being established, Anna became increasingly pissed off over the commercialization of Mothers Day, saying: “I wanted it to be a day of sentiment, not profit.” She opposed the selling of flowers and also the use of greeting cards – dismissing them as “a poor excuse for the letter you are too lazy to write.”

Anna Jarvis never had any children of her own, and died in 1948, blind and penniless. She was buried next to her mother in a cemetery in Philadelphia.

And that, I can promise you, will be truly appreciated (as sad as it is); because knowledge is the best gift that you can offer anyone, besides a winning lottery ticket or a free trip to the Seychelles.

Happy Mothers Day Mom.
I love and appreciate you more than you know.

Love, your favourite son
Galen xxxx

** More Quite Interesting Histories **