Marvelous Moms

On one special day each year, children let their mothers know how much they're loved and appreciated. But did you ever wonder how that custom started? Read on for a little Mother's Day history.

The tradition started as a spring celebration in Greece honoring Rhea, the mother of all gods. In the 1600's, early English Christians designated a day to honor Mary, the mother of Christ. That religious holiday expanded to honor all mothers and became knowns as "Mothering Sunday." Unfortunately, that tradition faded away about the time the Pilgrims came to America.

​Then in 1870, Julia Ward Howe issued a peace proclamation urging women, especially mothers, to rise against war. It became known as the first Mother's Day proclamation. Her Mother's Peace Day was widely celebrated but she was unable to get it declared a national holiday.

Almost 1 with my mom and her mom

When Anna Jarvis's mother died in 1905, Anna missed her greatly and realized children often neglected to appreciate their mothers while they were still alive. She started a national campaign to recognize mothers - living and dead. Anna's dream came true on May 9, 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May was to be observed as Mother's Day to honor all mothers.

While Mother's Day is celebrated in most parts of the world, it is not celebrated on the same day. For example, Mothering Sunday is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent in the UK and Mother's Day on May 10 in Mexico.

40-something with my mom

There are as many ways to pay tribute to a mom as there are children. And this year as we shelter in place, many of us will be using Facetime, Skype and Zoom to say "I love you" to our moms and other special women in our lives. Now more than every, remember mom's admonition to "wash your hands."

​Wishing you and yours a safe, healthy and Happy Mother's Day.