But the truth is Mother's Day is a genuine national holiday, as opposed to "Administrative Assistant's Day," "Grandparent's Day," and "Buy a Wrapped Watercolor or Calligraphy Piece of Art Day," which I have strong suspicions about.
The practice of revering mothers actually has its roots in ancient Greek celebrations honoring Rhea, the Mother of the Gods, who once grounded Zeus for staying out all night with his friends throwing thunderbolts at passing chariots.
In the 1600's, England celebrated "Mothering Sunday" on the fourth Sunday of Lent. On this day, servants got time off to spend with their own mothers, though many were suspected of using the time to interview for better jobs. And thus the "personal day" was born.
In 1907, a woman named Ana Jarvis started the first U.S. "Mother's Day" campaign, suggesting the second Sunday in May, which was the anniversary of her own mother's death. Seven years later, President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday. Rumor has it Woodrow’s mother told him afterwards, "This doesn't mean you can stop calling me, you know." The ritual has been with us ever since.
The one sad thing about Mother's Day is that there's only one day to formally pay tribute, the second Sunday in May. On the second Monday in May, things go back to normal and, one would assume, society goes back to treating mothers with everyday disregard. But Motherhood is a 365 day a year career. And consider the job: long hours, pitiful vacation, and the most demanding bosses on the planet. If it weren't for the job security and the small matter of unconditional love and affection, who’d want it?
In a more perfect world, Moms would be honored in small but meaningful ways every day, not just once a year. Of course in a more perfect world there'd also be global peace, cheap gas, and Paris Hilton would be earning minimum wage at Wendy's. But we can work toward that goal, the honoring Moms one anyway, and should. Without Moms, there's just no future. Duh.
Dads in particular have to prepare form Mother’s Day very early, for they need to get cards and gifts not just from themselves but from the kids as well. Dad Tip #1: Don’t really listen to what the kids want to get her, because Mom has no use for a Star Wars Lego set or glitter nail polish. Dad Tip #2: Remember that your wife falls above your own mother on the Mom’s Day tribute hierarchy. Shower more or earlier attention on your own Mom at your peril, and don’t say I didn’t warn you. Dad Tip #3: Don’t shop at Sears.
If you're reading this now, you likely have a lot of time left to either make plans or drop hints. So don't let the Moms in your life down. Also don’t let down Goddess Rhea, Ana Jarvis, Woodrow Wilson, r Hallmark CEO Donald J. Hall Jr., who clearly cares enough to sell you the very best.
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