Happy Mother's Day

"When you look into your mother's eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth." — Mitch Albom.

In its modern form, Mother's Day in the United States is observed on the second Sunday in May.

The history starts with peacemaker Ann Jarvis, who made a concerted effort to foster friendship and community between the mothers on both sides of the war during and following the Civil War. She started a committee in 1868 that established the first glimmer of today's holiday: "Mother's Friendship Day." Ann's daughter Anna continued her legacy by creating the official holiday. Anna Jarvis sought to honor her mother by establishing a day of intimate observance that is the basis of today's celebration. The very first Mother's Day was celebrated in 1908. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday.

Following her first Mother's Day success, Jarvis argued that American holidays were biased toward male achievements. Therefore, she initiated a massive letter-writing campaign to newspapers and prominent politicians, urging the adoption of a special day to honor motherhood.

Anna Jarvis would later try to stop what this day became. She would denounce the holiday's commercialization and spend the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. However, it has remained a tradition, and while dates and celebrations vary, Mother's Day typically involves flowers, cards, and other gifts.

I enjoy this day immensely; it is another opportunity to express respect, honor, and love for mothers and motherly figures worldwide. Who would say NO to extra warm hugs?