Growing up in Hawaii with a very ethnic mom, Korean, who really didn’t know many of the American customs, culture, or traditions, there were many interesting times to reminisce about my family. My mother was born in Korea and graduated from an all women college majoring in art and poetry. This was odd since my mother as I know her is a restaurateur and an amazing cook. She worked constantly often 12 hours plus a day, seven days a week to provide for our family. To say she was the foundation of our family is a major understatement. With all that work she often sacrificed family time and could not attend any of my personal events and accolades such as any of the highschool sports I participated in. In fact, she didn’t know of any of my accolades till someone else told her about them. During my senior year, my best friend’s mom Naomi, affectionately called my second mom, would be the person that would come up on stage during the awards ceremonies to present me with a trophy. As an adult, I can really appreciate my mother because like her I work insane hours to provide for my family and am very conscious to be available for my family’s important moments. I love you MOM!
In order to celebrate Mother’s Day properly, you’re going to have to understand when to celebrate it. So...when is Mother’s Day in 2021, anyway? And whose idea was it to create this holiday in the first place?
This year, Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 9th 2021. Though Mother’s Day always takes place in May, the date changes each year. The easiest way to remember for the future is that it always takes place on the second Sunday in May.
Why do we celebrate Mother’s Day? You can Thank Anna Jarvis (1864-1948). Anna was a determined activist, and to this day, is credited with inventing Mother’s Day in an attempt to honor her own mother, Ann Jarvis. Anna’s mom Ann had spent much of her life raising awareness about the infant mortality rate. According to National Geographic, in the 1850’s, Ann began hosting clubs for fellow mothers to teach them to better care for their children and curb those numbers.
When Ann Jarvis passed away in 1905, Anna decided that a national “Mother’s Day” would be a beautiful way to honor these noble efforts. The History Channel notes that Anna hosted the first ever Mother’s Day function on May 10th, 1908 in her hometown of Grafton, West Virginia, and that it was followed by a similar event in Philadelphia attended by thousands of people.
As the story goes, President Woodfow Wilson’s cabinet eventually got wind of Anna’s work, and it was under his guidance that Mother’s Day officially became a national holiday in 1914. At that time, it was also decided that the celebration would take place on the second Sunday in May each year.
Of course, Mother’s Day as we know it today has very little to do with Anna’s initial efforts or her mother’s meaningful charity work. Bouquets of flowers and greeting cards were never part of the plan. Anna called the manufacturers of such products “schemers” and “profiteers.” says Buzzfeed, and allegedly told a Reader’s Digest reporter in 1960 that she was sorry she ever started Mother’s Day.” Technically, it’s still unclear if the idea of Mother’s Day really belonged to the Jarvis ladies. Julia Ward Howe, the writer behind “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” had promoted a “Mother’s Peace Day” all the way back in 1872 as part of her anti war efforts.
But flowers, greeting cards, and competing historical narratives aside, there’s something undeniably beautiful about the idea of setting aside an entire day to pay your respects to the woman who made you, who you are today. The heart of the holiday remains special, no matter how commercialized the holiday is.
Top 5 Fun Facts about Mother’s Day
More calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year.
Mother’s Day is the third highest selling holiday for flowers and plants.
Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for restaurants.
The most popular gift for Mother’s Day is the greeting card.
Carnations have a special meaning on Mother’s Day. Red carnations symbolized that your Mother was still living and kicking while a white carnation meant she had passed.
Any mom will tell you that the greatest gift she could receive is spending time with her kids, thus…
Top 5 Things to do that are Extra Memorable
Take a flower arranging class together instead of just sending her a bouquet.
Bake pretty cookies together, no better bonding experience… take cooking classes together counts as well.
Enjoy an At-Home Spa Day or enjoy a Spa Day together for the bigger kids.
Go for a nice walk together or better yet, exercise together. Bonding and staying healthy.
Mother’s Day Trip together. Stay-cation near you or wine tasting adventure together.
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