Some say the Mother's Day is too commercialized now, but what was it really for to begin with? Originally conceived by Julia Ward Howe after the American Civil War as a day honoring (in her opinion) the inherent pacifism of mothers, Mother's Day now simply celebrates motherhood and thanks mothers.
The first Mother's Day as we would recognize it was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908, in the church where the elder Anna Jarvis had taught Sunday School. Grafton is the home to the International Mother's Day Shrine. From there, the custom caught on — spreading eventually to 45 states. Finally the holiday was declared officially by states beginning in 1912, and in 1914 the President, Woodrow Wilson, declared the first national Mother's Day.
Mother's Day is a busy time of year for mail in many countries. In 1973, the U.S. Postal Service was held up for eight days because of the number of letters and cards.
Here are just a few quotes from people that we have heard of but never thought to have a mother. They honored their mothers with these wonderful and memorable words about motherhood.
James Fenton: The lullaby is the spell whereby the mother attempts to transform herself back from an ogre to a saint
Oliver Wendell Holmes: The real religion of the world comes from women much more than from men – from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms
Abraham Lincoln: I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.
Chinese Proverb: There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.
Remember mom, she was the world to you in your childhood, the weirdo in your youth and the guide in your adulthood. She is "Mom."
