Celebrating Mothers – The Mother’s Day Shrine
Posted on May 11, 2009
Filed Under East meets West | Leave a Comment
By Ronda Suder
Today, the second Sunday in May, is the day that the United States, in addition to countries such as Canada and Australia, hold Mother’s Day. Other countries, including Costa Rica, the United Kingdom and Thailand, all celebrate Mother’s Day at some point throughout the year.
So how did this tradition begin?
The modern-day Mother’s Day celebration originated in a little town in the United States when Anna Jarvis verbalized the idea of a national holiday to celebrate mothers in 1907 on the second Sunday in May, two years after her mother, Ann Jarvis, passed away. She made the announcement in front of a group of friends she’d gathered together in commemoration of her mother’s life.
The first official Mother’s Day service was later held in Andrews Methodist Church on May 20, 1908 in Grafton, WV where Ann provided various visual aids to use for the event and designated the white carnation to symbolize the celebration. Ann requested the church hold the celebration in honor of her mother who had taught class there for 20 years. The Andrews Methodist Church continues to hold Mother’s Day celebrations each year and is now the International Mother’s Day Shrine. It has also been designated as a national historic Landmark in the United States.
Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated in various ways, including sending cards, holding parties, taking Mother’s out to eat, sending flowers, family gatherings and giving gifts. With time, Ann Jarvis felt that Mother’s Day had become too commercialized, which was not her intent. Prior to her passing away, she attempted to stop the commercialization by filing a lawsuit, which was unsuccessful.
Apart from all the commercialization and gift giving and money spent, we need to remember the true meaning and purpose behind Ann Jarvis’ request to celebrate Mothers. Regardless as to how we choose to celebrate it, at the end of the day, the true purpose of Mother’s Day is to celebrate the women who brought us into this life. Personally, I am thankful for my Mother and all she has taught me and brought into my life. Without her, I would not be where I’m at today.
Happy Mother’s Day Mom!! Happy Mother’s Day all!!
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