It started with the ancients honoring mothers. Ancient cultures did not regard women as equal citizens. But lauding Mother has rung throughout the ages.
America’s celebration of mothers began on a dark note more than a century ago. It was a day for mothers to mourn sons lost in World War One and work toward peace. As wars came and went, the day became a time to honor all mothers. It became a happy day.
The day’s original crafters would want you to know that it’s not Mothers’ Day–in celebration of all mothers. It’s Mother’s Day–when you’re supposed to visit and thank your own.
Some still hold the babes, wipe the noses, and change the diapers. Others joust with school-borne illnesses, sibling rivalries, and picking up Legos after stepping on one in bare feet. It’s the little ones that hurt the most.
For some of us, the babes grew up and had their own–are still having their own. And some of those babes have grown and had their own now too.
Our family holds two new ones this year. Last year, we hoped but did not know.
Life is a sacred passage. Being a child turns into becoming a parent. The seasons pass too quickly from sleepless nights to piles of laundry on college weekends. Then weddings, then children–we hope.
Over the years, we forget the feeling of exhaustion that comes with fussy babies and sick children. We remember our lack of patience and wonder whether what we gave was enough. But even our mistakes don’t have to be wasted.
“Good parents use the mistakes they did in the past when they were young to advise the children God gave to them to prevent them from repeating those mistakes again” (Israelmore Ayivor).
But they will stumble also. And so the seasons unfold. Imperfect humans pass on the stamp of imperfection. Yet we stamp each other with love and understanding too–and the eventual realization that our mothers did their best–and in spite of our exhaustion, or fear, or life circumstance, we did too.
We have to forgive ourselves and each other for our stumblings.
The stamp of imago Dei–the image we bear–makes it all sacred.
Celebrate your mother–in life or in memory. Celebrate those you hold, those you’ve held, and, if you’re a mom, those who hold you in their hearts for all you’ve done. Celebrate your part in the seasons of bringing others through to their grown-up time.
Celebrate Mother’s Day every day you can.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Well done Mrs Head. I have had the Beatles “Oh Bla Dee Bla Da Life Goes On” in my head since the last trip with Albert and this describes that passage much more eloquently. I am proud to have you as my wife and the mother of these great kids.
What a beautiful tribute to mothers, and a great reminder to celebrate our mothers not just on Mother’s Day, but every day!
Thank you, Emily! God bless!
Thanks for reminding us to celebrate our moms always
Thank you, Yvonne, for reading and commenting. God bless!
Yes, celebrate Mother’s Day everyday! 🙂
Happy Mom’s Day to you too! God bless!
Thanks for sharing the history. I had no idea where mother’s day came from!
I feel like it somehow has more meaning now.
Hope you have a lovely mother’s day.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Christina. I hope your Mom’s Day is great too!
Great post! I didn’t know the origins of mothers day; for the mothers to mourn lost some from the war. I think these days are good in a sense, but I get the feeling that we are not honoring our mothers (and fathers) every day in the same way we do only once per year on mother’s or fathers day. As a dad, I try hard to be transparent with my kids and use my past mistakes and failures to help them learn from those so they don’t repeat them themselves.
Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for your input, Paul. There is certainly less emphasis on obeying parents all year long now. God bless!
Nancy, thank you for giving the background on where Mother’s Day celebration started. It is a sad one of loss. So thankful it’s a more happy day now. And I love your thought about how we should forgive each other’s stumbles. Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you, Karen! Happy Mother’s Day! God bless!
Over the ages, women have had it tough in many ways but one — we get the gift of having life grow within us, and what a blessing that is! Thanks for this post, and Happy Mother’s Day to you!
What a beautiful thought, Lisa! Thank you for sharing it! God bless! Happy Mom’s Day!
So often I feel like I’m not enough. Like I don’t do enough for my own mother or my children, but that’s not what Mother’s Day is about. Thank you for this beautiful reminder of the true meaning of mother’s day!! As a child and as a mom.
That’s universal mom guilt. We usually do the best we can–sometimes less than we should–but other times, more than enough. Happy mothering. Happy Mother’s Day. God bless and thanks for speaking.
Same to you ?
Great post! You hit the nail on the head! These are the stages we move through. That part in the middle really touched my heart. We are SO aware of the mistakes me made once the whirlwind of parenting is over. We’re all so flawed. Great encouragement!
Thanks, Melinda! We need to forgive ourselves. God bless!
Oh! I had no idea that the reason behind Mother’s Day was for mourning. Thank you for sharing that. I love historical facts (as long as I’m not in school and have to repeat them back for a grade) and learning from history. I’m thankful for the 4 children I am blessed that call me Momma. ~ Johanna
Thanks for reading and commenting, Johanna! God bless! Happy Mom’s Day!
Very nice .. I love being a Mom. And you raise a moving point – that we do make mistakes as parents. Forgiving self is heartwarming and healing.
Thanks, Lesly! Some mistakes you recognize right away, and others, not for a long time. God bless!