Being A Mom

Mothers – they came in all shapes and sizeswhile some may ‘fall short’, and some others were ‘prizes’. We did not pick and choose the mothers we got, we had those we were given if we liked it or not. Times were different back then, there were all kinds of mothers –some were like TV shows – Donna Reed and the others. There were those who left home, and were gone every day doing all that they could but just in their own way. Some were there every morning, till that last kiss goodnight, keeping home the safe haven, from dawn till last light. They made the PTA meetings, the games and much more; while others would leave as it hurt to the core.

They kissed kids goodbye, feeling guilty at times –as if not being there was their maternal crime. Then we became Moms – and the work force now grew; and the Mom we became was now up to you. There were those who stayed home – with a diverse life ahead, and being fulfilled with the life that they led. But for us ‘single Moms’ - not at all what we planned; not the path we’d imagined, but where fate would now land. There were games that were missed, the meetings not made; feeling guilty for the price through the years that we paid.

Circumstances for Moms put us all to the test and whatever they were, think we all did our best. Our Moms were not perfect, but then, neither were we; hindsight’s 20-20, could not predict what would be. Every once in a while life threw us a curve, and not always what we think we might have deserved! One day we woke up - find that now we’re all grown; life is just what it was but asks where has time flown? But ‘Mom’ is a word that transcends what we knew –It’s what’s in our hearts that will always be true. While Mothers may differ, it’s their day just the same –and we ALL know that “Mother” is more than a name!

By Patti Tripp/ Link

History of Mother’s Day

By Gail Abrams / Link

Over the years, Mother’s Day has become somewhat commercialized with the gifting of flowers and chocolates. The special day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May (this year the date is Sunday, May 14th.) Originally, the ancient Greeks and Romans honored their mother goddesses with festivals. The most direct connection between today’s Mother’s Day and long ago was the Christian festival called “Mothering Sunday”. This holiday was celebrated during Lent and called on the faithful to attend a religious service for mother church. As time passed, the holiday became more secular as children presented their mothers with gifts to demonstrate their love and appreciation.

Did you know that Mother’s Day in America was created 115 years ago by Ann Jarvis? Prior to the start of the Civil War, West Virginian Ann Reeves Jarvis established what was known as “Work Clubs” to instruct mothers how to care for their children.

In the early 1900s, Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, organized the first Mother’s Day celebration in West Virginia. Her goal was to set aside a day for mothers and their families to spend time together. During the next several years, Anna worked with Congress to ensure that Mother’s Day be added to the national calendar. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially signed a proclamation recognizing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. On May 14th, take time to celebrate Mother’s Day with your loved ones.