Pam, Bill, Grace & Will

   Remembering Mom……

Can you believe that it is May? According to Life's Little Instruction Book, Instruction 511 says to "Call your Mother." In case you forgot…May 9 is Mother's Day. History claims that the Mother's Day tradition started back in ancient Greece to honor Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. The holiday progressed in the 17th century. The English celebrated "Mothering Sunday" on the 4th Sunday of Lent. This day was reserved to honor mothers. Even the servants of the wealthy were encouraged to celebrate this day with their own mothers. They were given the day off. The servants often prepared a special cake called a mothering cake to take home.

Christianity became more and more important to European society. The celebration then changed to honor the Mother Church. As time went on the church and the Mothering Sunday celebration combined into one holiday.

Julia Ward Howe first suggested this holiday in the United States around 1872. Did you know that she wrote the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic? She organized Mother's Day meetings in Boston, Massachusetts every year. This example encouraged Ana Jarvis in 1907 to try to win support from the nation to celebrate Mother's Day as a national holiday. She chose the 2nd Sunday in May since it fell on the second anniversary of her Mother's death. Finally in 1911 her hard work paid off. Almost every state celebrated Mother's Day that year. President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May an official holiday to honor Mothers in 1914.

Did you know there is a custom to observing the holiday by wearing a carnation? If your mother is alive then wear a colored carnation. If your mother has passed away then wear a white carnation.

Now you have all that you ever wanted to know about Mother's Day. The most important message is to honor your Mother. Here are a few ideas to help you make the day special:

If you are a Dad of small children reading this article, don't forget to have your children do something special for Mom. They will need your help but will love being involved in planning the day. Try one of these:

It is usually the simple ideas that mean the most. Memories are built from treasured experiences. So try this year to make Mother's Day a memorable day filled with fun, laughs and relaxation.

Pamela Caywood is the proud mother of a Grace and her new son Will.