Mother’s day! An important day for many people around the world and despised by some. Then there are some men who resent Mother’s Day claiming they do not get the same attention on Father’s Day, and for deadbeat fathers for no apparent reason.
But is Mother’s Day celebration necessary? Is that important or significant? Does that have relevance at all ? What really is the rationale behind it?
Purpose?
Mother Day is celebrated in many countries across the globe typically on each second Sunday in May in North America and in March in some European countries including the United Kngdom. Mother’s day is celebrated to:
To honour mothers
To honour mother of the family
To honour motherhood
To honour maternal bonds
To honour the role and influence of mothers in society
History?
Although the celebration of mothers and motherhood have occurred for 1000s of years (Greeks’ cybele and Rhea; the Roman’s Hilalia; Christians’ Mothering Sunday) modern Mother’s Day celebration has been traced to Anna Jarvis, an American who first initiated this event in memory of her mother in St Andrew’ church in West Virginia in the United States in 1908. Although the US Congress refused to proclaim the day as a statutory holiday, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the day to be celebrated as Mother’s Day, and it is now celebrated in all 50 States.
Do you Care? Do I care?
The celebration of mother’s day is a personal private affair in my opinion. Whether we celebrate a person depends on our relationship with the person, what impacts they have made on our lives or continue to make, or what they mean to us and our families? We either do or we don’t? To me, a celebration comes naturally and we should celebrate the people who make a difference in our lives.
By far, mothers are one of the most important people in our households, societies and communities. Mothers mend, patch, heal, support, nurse, care, nurture and rescue their children. Mothers stand up, defend, fight, school, coach, feed and protect their children in many ways.
Mothers sacrifice their careers, incomes, mental health, physical health and retirement incomes to ensure their children are cared for. Motherhood is underpaid, minimally paid or unpaid at all in financial terms. The (s)heroic mothers are two in one; they are fathers too.
Honouring mothers once a year is well in order. They should be celebrated always but a special day set aside shows that mothers are indeed special. They deserve our attention, gifts, love, hugs and treats. We should give them our all and show them we appreciate them.
Who are the Mothers Who Should be Celebrated?
Well I think the mothers and their children know themselves. In my opinion, there are several mothers out there; they are our sisters, biological and step-mothers, mother figures, wives, day care workers, female teachers, career, grandparents, aunties, cousin’s etc.
How to celebrate?
Personal and quite individualized, no one size fit all. Not about gifts but about appreciation, treat, care, compassion and love. They have cared so we should too.
Mother’s Day Celebration Amidst COVID-19?
How do we celebrate Mother’s Day during this pandemic? Many people are celebrating from a distance: send a message, phone calls, video calls, order fruit or grocery basket, anything that she would love or need at the present time. Be a lovely daughter, son, hubby, boyfriend, brother. Show love and compassion. Just tell them how much they mean to you.
For those who abuse, taunt and mistreat your mothers, I entreat you to stop! Your mother gave so much for you, reciprocate their compassion and kindness.
A very special mother’s day to all self identifying mothers. Much love and lots of hugs. God bless all mothers
Akosua G
Ontario, Canada
May 10, 2020.