Mother’s Day is a special day dedicated to the mother in the family. It is a way to celebrate of the love and sacrifices made by our mothers.
Children celebrate it across the world as a special way to express their feelings for their mom. Motherhood, influence of Moms and anything related to mothers is honored on this special day.
It is celebrated all over the world, with the second Sunday of May being the most popular date for celebrating Mother’s Day internationally. The most popular way of celebrating this day is with flowers, gifts and cards but many also go to churches, temples and holy places to pray for the wellbeing of their mother as well.
Modern Mother’s Day Observances – Anna Jarvis’ Version
Unlike the modern day celebration of Mother’s Day, it started out as a day on which a memorial service was held by Anna Jarvis for her mother. Anna Jarvis was a peace activist. She created Mother’s Day Work Clubs that addressed public health issues. She then wanted to turn that day into a day that would be recognized as a day on which all mothers around the world who have done everything for their children could be honored.
Mother’s Day Version In Ancient Times – Mothering Day celebrated in some parts of Europe like United Kingdom and Ireland
Evidences of celebrating motherhood can be traced back to as early as Romans and Greeks who honored the Goddesses Cybele and Rhea. Another precedent of Mother’s Day is Mothering Sunday, that is usually celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent in the United Kingdom and Ireland, usually in the month of March. It actually started in the 16th century. It was the day that all the children who had wondered out of their villages would come back to their Mother’s Church. Due to modernization it has now turned into a day to honor one’s mother.
Precursors Of The Modern Mother’s Day
Another precedent to modern day Mother’s Day is from Julia Ward Howe, a suffragette and abolitionist. More such precursors can be found like in the 1870s Juliet Calhoun Blakely, an activist became the inspiration behind a local Mother’s Day to be celebrated in Albion, Michigan.
Issues (political and feminist) upheld on occasion of Mother’s Day
Sometimes Mother’s Day has also been marked as a date perfect for the launch of various causes, both political and feminist.
In the year 1968 wife of Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King used this day to show her support for the underprivileged women and children by holding a march.
While in the 1970s different women’s groups used Mother’s Day to fight for causes like access to childcare and equal rights for women.
Variations of Mother’s Day in Different Countries
Different versions of Mother’s Day are being celebrated across various countries of the world.
Like In Thailand, it is celebrated on the occasion of the birthday of Sirikit, their queen. It usually falls in August.
During the celebration of Antrosht in Ethiopia, families come together to honor motherhood. It is celebrated over three days at the end of rainy season with songs and a huge feast.
Religious Versions
Different religions also celebrates it in their special way.
The Roman Catholic Church associates this day with their reverence for Virgin Mary. Some Catholic families also have a shrine that is especially dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches hold a prayer service to honor Virgin Mary.
“Mata Tirtha Aunshi” also called “Mother Pilgrimage fortnight” is a form of Mother’s Day celebrated in the Hindu religion. This is usually celebrated in the month of Baisakh on the new moon day that falls in April/May. It is one of the oldest forms of Mother’s Day and predates the modern Mother’s Day celebrations.
The festival of Ullambana is the celebration of Mother’s Day in Buddhism. The story of Maudgalyayana and his mother is the inspiration behind this festival. As can be seen, Mothers are revered across all countries and religions for the sacrifices they make and that certainly need a special celebration.
Coinage Of the Term – “Mother’s Day”
There is a widespread debate on where the apostrophe should be in the spelling of this special day. One group might say that an apostrophe is not needed in the spelling as this day describes a day for all mothers not a day belonging to any mother in particular. The next point is apostrophe after s because this day is collectively shared among each and every mother. Ultimately the spelling that is recognized universally is the apostrophe being before s because of two reasons:
The day actually belongs to a specific mother (your mother) and hence the possession is actually involved
The original campaigner Anna Jarvis said specifically that “Mother’s” should “be a singular possessive, for each family to honor its own mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world.”
So the spelling that is accepted widely is Mother’s Day.
Making Mother’s Day Special
Mothers who have dedicated their lives for their children need special attention. Below you can find some lovely wishes, quotes and messages that celebrate the bond shared between you and your mother. Send out these to your Mom on Mother’s Day and bring a smile on her face.
Mother’s Day Wishes
Here some lovely Mother’s day wishes to let your Mom know about your earnest feelings:
Mom you are an amazing person and I am sure no one can be as caring as you are. Love you Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!
Your life has always revolved around us, your children. You have stayed calm through the storms we created for you. Mom Love you.
You have always loved us even when what we said made you sad. Sorry Mom. Let us make this day special for you. Happy Mother’s Day!
Mom you are the only one to have understood me in my troubled times. Get ready to enjoy a special Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day.
Mom I know that I might have grown up but I will always be your little princess. Lots of love from your Princess. Happy Mother’s Day!
Since childhood I have always seen you worry about us and then think for yourself. Now it is time for us to do the same. So Mom sit back and enjoy this Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day Quotes
Let your Mom know how much you love her with these special quotes from famous personalities dedicated to Mothers:
“As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her.” ―Kristin Hannah, Summer Island
“Sometimes, mothers say and do things that seem like they don’t want their kids … but when you look more closely, you realize that they’re doing those kids a favor. They’re just trying to give them a better life.” ―Jodi Picoult, Handle with Care
“Mothers and their children are in a category all their own. There’s no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving.” ―Gail Tsukiyama, Dreaming Water
“My mother… she is beautiful, softened at the edges and tempered with a spine of steel. I want to grow old and be like her.” ―Jodi Picoult
“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.” ―Agatha Christie, “The Last Séance”
Mothers were meant to love us unconditionally, to understand our moments of stupidity, to reprimand us for lame excuses while yet acknowledging our point of view, to weep over our pain and failures as well as cry at our joy and successes, and to cheer us on despite countless start-overs. Heaven knows, no one else will. — Richelle E. Goodrich
Mother’s Day Messages
This Mother’s Day pour out your feelings for your Mom with these lovely Mother’s Day messages:
I will never be able to do enough to repay the love and care that you have shown us. All that I can do is try to keep you happy forever. Happy Mother’s Day!
With you by my side I can never feel disappointed, worried or scared. Mom you are my pillar of support. Love you Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!
I know how fortunate I am to have you as my mom. Because of you I have never felt lost or defeated in life. You have turned my sadness into happiness. Love you Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!
With your divine presence in my life. I can never be lost Mom. Wish you Happiest Mother’s Day!
You are the best in the whole wide world because you make me smile, laugh and happy. Spending one day without you Mom is scary. Please never leave me mom. Love you. Happy Mother’s Day
Your selfless sacrifices have shaped our future. Now it is time to try and make all your unfulfilled dreams come true. Mom, love you. Sending you lots of love for Mother’s Day!
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