The modern version of Mother’s Day began in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Her campaign to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died.
Ann Jarvis had been a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the Civil War and created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues.
Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother by continuing the work she started and set aside a day to honor all mothers.
One of the most important statements in this blog is part of the above sentence, “…continuing the work she [her mother] started.”
Isn’t that what all mothers do? We continue the work our mothers started.
The two women who surround me in this photo have done exactly that, surrounded me with their love and support. They continued the work their mamas started in them.
I have never been able to relate to “mother-in-law” jokes or women talking negatively about their mothers-in-law.
Mine is a gem. The Lord was gracious in gifting her to me. She has modeled patience and joy and grace and unconditional love in the midst of difficulty.
She also taught me how to make perfectly creamy mashed potatoes.
My mama, though she now struggles with dementia, modeled perseverance, strength and faithfulness, in life events that could justifiably produce a thin faith.
I am thankful this day that I am in the ranks of motherhood. My three sons are brilliant, caring, passionate and compassionate men. They are three of my dearest friends.
I read a quote today bout being a mother. It is this:
The most precious jewels you’ll ever have around your neck are the arms of your children.
How true that is. When my little boys put their chubby, warm (and often messy) sweet arms around my neck, nothing else mattered. I would not trade one, not even one of those priceless moments for the richest strand of pearls or The Heart of the Ocean necklace.
For this 60 year old mother, Mother’s Day is a time to honor my past, enjoy my present, and anticipate the future.
Happy Mother’s Day to to these two dear ones. And Happy Mother’s Day to myself, as I continue the work they started.