Brunch. Flowers. Perfume. Chocolate. They’re the hallmarks of a successful Mother’s Day for many, but there’s far more to this annual day of celebration than you might realize. Here’s a little bit about the history of Mother’s Day and how the holiday has evolved over the years.
How It All Began
Anna Jarvis was a stunning example of a daughter’s devotion to her mother. The story begins with her own mother, Ann Jarvis, who served as a community organizer during the Civil War. Although she performed countless tasks during her tenure, one of her most admirable achievements was caring for those who were wounded on both the Union and Confederate lines.
She was inspired to strive for peace on the home front, and so developed Mother’s Friendship Day to bring mothers from both sides together. After the elder Jarvis died, Anna was crushed — but similarly inspired to commemorate her mother in some deep, meaningful way. She took comfort from the many words of sympathy and solace that were sent to her in the aftermath of her loss. She realized that these words struck a chord. It was just the spark that she needed to establish a day devoted entirely to honoring mothers all over the world.
The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in 1908 at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, where her mother was a Sunday school teacher. Within two years, it was declared an official state holiday. The first national Mother’s Day was celebrated in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation.
Jarvis was committed to a very specific goal: Mother’s Day was about celebrating motherhood and the special sacrifices that women made to raise their children. She even stressed the importance of maintaining an apostrophe in the “Mother’s” title — it was meant to single out the specific woman who was special to each child.
The Changing Tides
Although Jarvis certainly invented the concept of Mother’s Day, she was not at all fond of the commercial aspect. She was disappointed that so many businesses essentially used the holiday as an excuse to earn more and that the day she had created in honor of her mother had devolved into something less personal and meaningful.
Today, however, many look back on both Jarvis and her mother for their incredible contributions. That there is a day at all to celebrate mom is a gift because it allows young kids and adult children alike to show their deep appreciation for all their mothers did for them. Sending a personalized Mother’s Day card is one way to honor the beauty of what Jarvis intended for the day — and put your own customized touch on it at the same time. If you love the idea of maintaining this sense of simple sentimentality, keep your reflections warm and authentic. Hand-writing a sweet note to give to mom with brunch on Mother’s Day is such a thoughtful way to show how much you love and appreciate all she’s done for you.
What if you don’t live nearby? A phone call — or better yet, a video call — is always welcome, and sure to bring a smile to her face. Items like bouquets, personalized mugs, and gift certificates to her favorite spa or salon are equally great gifts you can trust she’ll love. Want to really wow her? Share with her the poignant story of the groundbreaking, life-changing Jarvis women. You two wouldn’t be sharing this special holiday if it weren’t for their contributions!
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