Mother’s Day History and Traditions are not what we normally think of when you think of this holiday. (Or at least they aren’t for me. )
Do you know the origin of Mother’s Day ?
One special holiday for me would be Mother’s Day. You see growing up in a flower shop with two well known floral designers was always one of the bigger holidays for flowers. My memory of this day from the time I could carry flowers. I would be on the truck helping Daddy deliver flowers, corsages, and gifts (we also had a gift shop too) to customers. We worked into the night to decorate churches and be sure everyone had their flowers on time.
What flower symbolizes Mother’s Day ?
The white carnation, the favorite flower of Jarvis’s mother, was the original flower. It is said, the choice of carnations is do to their not dropping petals, hugging the petals to the heart of the flower until they die. Mothers hug their children to their hearts, their love for their mothers never dies.
Carnations with all the different meanings it is no surprise that the carnation is, therefore, the most preferred flower to give on Mother’s Day. They are inseparable.
What if mother prefers roses ?
Color roses are for mothers?
Rose. Roses are a classic, which makes them a great gift for the mother who tends to be more traditional. But skip red, which is typically associated with romance and opt for pink, which represents, love, gratitude and appreciation .
The most popular flower choice today is “mom’s favorite” .
When did the official holiday Start ?
In the 1900’s as a result of the efforts of Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis. After her mother’s death Ann decided this was a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers made for children. First celebrated in 1908 at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia.
What Does The Bible Say About Mothers Day ?
The Bible consistently asks followers to honor and love their mothers. Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother”, Leviticus 19:3 “Everyone of you shall revere his mother and his father”
Things You Probably Don’t Know about the History
Mother’s day started as an anti war statement and movement.
Ann Jarvis is most often credited as founder of Mother’s Day in the United States
Honoring motherhood is observed in different forms throughout the world. In 2021 Mother’s Day will occur on Sunday May 9th. The US holiday became official in .1914 Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization. She spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar.
The holiday spread overseas and mingled with local traditions. Jarvis focus the day on children celebrating their mothers. But others had the idea first with different agendas.
Julia Ward Howe, better known for writing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” promoted a Mothers Peace Day in 1872. It was a way to promote global unity after the horrors of the American Civil War and Franco-Prussion War. They would meet in churches, parlors, social halls promoting peace.
A Former Football Coach, Frank Hering of University of Notre Dame Promoted Early Version
A former football coach promoted early version of Mother’s Day was accused of kidnapping the holiday. Hering urged an Indianapolis fathering of the Fraternal Order of Eagles to support setting aside one day in the year as a nationwide memorial to the memory of mothers and motherhood. Although he did not want to celebrate on Sundays and did not specifically pick a date.
Jarvis continued to dispute his claim and woud sign everything as “Ann Jarvis, Founder of Mother’s Day” as who she was.. Ann never had children.
FDR designed a Mother’s Day Stamp
Designated as the second Sunday in May by then President WOODROW WILSON. President Wilson actually designed the stamp himself.
FDR surrounded the iconic maternal image with dedication “ In Memory and In Honor of the Mothers of America ? Jarvis refused to allow the words “Mother’s Day” to appear on the stamp.
The Courts heard “Custody Battles’ Over Mother’s Day.
Jarvis always considered Mother’s Day her intellectual and legal property and wasn’t afraid to lawyer up in defense.
Founder hated those who fundraised off the holiday
Since early days groups have seized on it as a chance to raise funds for various charitable causes. “She called those charities Christian Pirates” Today we think it is wonderful to use the day to raise funds to support poor mothers or families. Her objection was she did not trust fundraisers to deliver the money to the people it was to help.
Founder lost everything in fight to protect her holiday
As the celebration became commercialized Jarvis continued fighting against what it was becoming . She never profited from the day, despite ample opportunities to do so. She went broke using what monies she had battling the holiday’s commercialization. Her poor health and emotional stability in question she died penniless at 84 living the last of her life in a sanitarium.
Conclusion
Mother’s Day Tradition in Modern Times has become commercialized as have most holidays. Today the day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts. A great gift could be a bottle of fine wine.
Is Mother A Golfer ? Need another type of Special Gift for Her ?
What if she had the best in phone mounts for her golf cart riding or walking or in her car ? What about speakers on her golf cart ? And what if I told you that you could get 20% off ? Oh, and guess what they make special mounts for senior walkers to hold their phones !!!!
Awesome speaker!
“I struggle to think of how this speaker could be better. When attached to my golf push cart (using the bike mount) it directs the sound directly at me. As a result I can enjoy music and not worry about distracting others. It is easily loud enough to allow others to hear if the volume is turned up. Highly recommend!”
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Cheers to the Mother’s of the world !
Response Magic