The Origin Of, And The Best Mother’s Day Gift Ever
Posted: Friday, April 25, 2008
by Joel Hendon
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As with most of our holiday celebrations, even Mother's day had its origin in ancient Greece whose pantheon of gods and goddesses numbered in the hundreds. They had a spring celebration in honor of Rhea, the mother of all gods. I have found no linkage from that celebration to that of our own Mother's day but I would not be surprised to learn there is such.
Anna never married, but rather chose to stay at home to care for her ailing mother until her death. She was deeply saddened at her mother's passing and was dismayed to see so many children who failed miserably to honor and respect their mother as she felt they should. She enlisted the support and assistance of her friends who wrote letters to all churches they could identify throughout the nation, urging them to tell their followers of the plan and it was favorably accepted by most who heard . The first known celebration for this effort was held on May 10, 1908 at the Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia.
The idea grew in popularity and became celebrated more and more until an association was formed called the Mothers Day International Association on December 12, 1912. And on may 9, 1914, a presidential proclamation was issued to observe the second Sunday in each May as Mother's Day. Anna's dream had finally come true.
It seems fitting to me that there should be a day designated to showing our love to our mothers. Throughout civilized history until recent years, mothers have sacrificed their entire adult lives in carring for their childrens well being, their health, their teaching, seeing to their education, discipline and everything else. All from love for them. It is heart rending to see so many departing from those things which once formed such a strong bond between children and their mothers.
Some fifty years ago, I knew a man and wife who had 3 children, ages at that time of somewhere near 14, 20, and 24. Two sons and one a daughter. Both parents loved their children dearly and the daughter (as is often the case) was the pride and joy of her father. But the couple began having severe domestic differences (nature of which I was never privy to) and so they divorced. The oldest, a son, was already married and away. But the other two, oldest of which was the daughter, chose to go with their mother. I knew and was much closer to the man than the rest of the family and I could tell that he was devastated over it all and he confided to me once that what hurt him most was that someone told him the daughter had said her mother was always the stabilizing force in their family. In an effort to console him, I said that he shouldn't feel too badly about that because he and I could never expect to compete with the love of a mother to her children and theirs to ward her.
I know as my wife and I began to have our children, I was astounded at the strong intuitions and motherly instincts built into my young wife's system. I always had to work but I never asked my wife to work, nor even wanted her to try and do that while out children were young. I would have helped her as much as I could with the children when needed, but she preferred to handle it and what a terrific job she did. I can recall, with all three when each were tiny. They slept in a crib normally in the same room with us, and if not, very close with open doors between. And the most amazing thing to me was, the child could start to whine or the beginning of a cry, and I could hear my wife's feet hit the floor before I could even think what was going on. It was as if she was not sleeping! I used to say a silent prayer of thanksgiving to God for this wonderful person who cared so much for her children. I always loved my children and thankfully, they did (do) me. But I would never ask one to prefer me over their mother.
My wife is a true example of a mother. She loved her babies more than her self. And I always knew I came in a distant 2 nd , but wouldn't have had it any other way. It is difficult for me to choose a single Mother's day that was the most important and exciting to me. I was number 6 of 8 children for my own mother and, unfortunately, I failed to recognize those things in her even though she was one of the very best. I always took my own mother for granted, thinking that was just the way mothers were. I deeply regret that now, but fortunately my mother knew how much I loved her and was completely unassuming. She always preferred that we be given gifts than for us to give to her. And my wife has always been the exact same way. There have been many times when she needed something, like new shoes, and when I gave her the money for them, she would come home with something for the children instead. Knowing all the time that I had no more money for her shoes at that moment. I am so thankful to have had her standing by my side during our 52+ years.
In an effort to recall our finest Mother's day, I've been forced to lump a number of them together which were all wonderful. But the most pleasing ones for me was when the five of us all sat together on the same pew on Mother's day morning listening to the preacher praising the love of mothers. And all of us feeling he was talking about the one we were sitting with. Then all of us going home to a full table of good food and talking about our good fortune to have such a loving family.
No one can ever tell me there is no God. To give a simple fellow, with little to offer in return, such a wonderful mother when growing up and another for my children, is more than coincidence. Sometimes it is difficult for me to express my thanks and gratitude to such an Almighty God as ours, but the wonderful thing about it is, He knows our every thought. So I don't have to worry that He might question my sincerety.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)hi joel, this article was a loving tribute to both your wife and mother. very well written,and sincere. thanks for sharing, best regards, sueThanks so much Susan. I have been extremely blessed. I've told my entire family for the past year or so that come what may from here on out, I'll try my best not to complain. I've had so much to be thankful for almost 78 years, I have no room or reason to start complaining now. Thanks again for your kindness.
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