Mommy,
Mama, Mom, Ma, Mum, Mother¼no matter what you call her,
she is special. After all, we would not be here if it weren’t
for our mothers. A mother has the responsibility of nurturing
her children, keeping the home fires burning, contributing to
the financial well‑being of her household and so much
more. It’s easy to take moms for granted, but consider all of
the things you would miss if your mom were to go on strike.
Be
sure to do something nice for your mom on Mother’s Day to show
your appreciation for everything she does. Rather than buying
a stereotypical Mother’s Day gift, think about what your mom
really likes. Not all women want candy or flowers. A gift from
the heart means the most, because she will appreciate the thought
behind it more than how much you spent. Moms appreciate anything
that their children make for them. However, one of the best
things you can do for your mother is to share some time with
her.
Mother’s
Day History
Approximately
50 countries around the world honor mothers with a special day,
although not all nations celebrate it on the same day. In the
United States, the first Mother’s Day was suggested in 1872
by Julia Ward Howe (author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”).
Anna
Jarvis of Philadelphia is credited with bringing about the national
observance of Mother’s Day. She began her campaign to establish
a Mother’s Day holiday as a remembrance of her mother, who had
worked to establish “Mother’s Friendship Days” in the late 19th
century.
In
1910, West Virginia became the first state to officially recognize
Mother’s Day. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Mother’s
Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the
second Sunday in May.
Proverbs
31: God’s Instructions
for Mothers
“Who
can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts in her¼ She does him good and not
evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and
willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships,
she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet
night, and provides food for her household. She considers a
field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She
girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms¼ She extends her hand to
the poor, yes, she reaches out her hand to the needy¼ She makes linen garments
and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength
and honor are her clothing¼
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law
of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and
does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and
call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”
Quotations
“All
that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” –Abraham
Lincoln (1809‑1865)
“A
mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and
sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity;
when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us
when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us,
and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate
the clouds of darkness,
and cause peace to return to our hearts.” – Washington Irving (1783‑1859)
“My
mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” – Mark Twain (1835‑1910)
“My
mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw¼ I attribute
all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical
education I received from her.” –
George Washington (1732‑1799)
“The
mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.” –
Henry Ward Beecher (1813‑1887)
“You
may have tangible wealth untold; caskets of jewels and coffers
of gold. Richer than I you can never be–I had a mother who read to me.”–
Strickland Gillilan (1869‑1954)
Books
for Moms and Children to Read Together
“A
Chair for My Mother,” by Vera B. Williams. (A young girl and
her waitress mother save up all of their spare coins in a big
glass jar to buy a much‑needed easy chair.)
“A
Mother for Choco,” by Keiko Kusza. (A wise, caring bear adopts
a motherless little bird.)
“Are
You My Mother?” by P.D. Eastman. (The classic story of a baby
bird that falls from its nest and sets out to find its mother.)
“Big
Mama,” by Tony Crunk. (Big Mama is a special grandmother who
provides love and teaches responsibility to her orphaned grandson
Billy, and to all his friends as well.)
“Is
Your Mama A Llama?” by Deborah Guarino. (Lloyd the llama goes
on a quest to find out how many baby animals have llamas for
mamas.)
“Love
You Forever,” by Robert Munsch. (A mother sings to her sleeping
baby, toddler, child, teen and grown son: “I’ll love you forever,
I’ll love you for always¼my
baby you’ll be.”)
“Sarah,
Plain and Tall,” by Patricia MacLachlan. (A tender tale of a
widowed farmer with two children who advertises for a wife and
mother–and about the woman who answers that ad.)
“Something
for Mom,” by Norma Jean Sawichi. (Mom is downstairs fixing breakfast,
while her young daughter is upstairs, wrapping up a surprise
for her mom’s birthday.)
“What
Mommies Do Best,” by Laura Numeroff. (Animal mothers and their
children do a variety of activities together.)
Web
sites
www.theholidayspot.com/mothersday
(Mother’s Day history, crafts, gifts, poems, recipes, etc.)
